Niagara Falls elementary school teacher arrested on child pornography charges

A teacher at a Niagara Falls elementary school has been arrested following a police investigation into the sexual exploitation of a child.

Weston Thomas Nesbitt, 39, was arrested Saturday and charged with possession of child pornography, making child pornography and making child pornography available.

The Niagara-on-the-Lake resident was released from custody the following day at the conclusion of a video bail hearing from the Hamilton courthouse. He is scheduled to appear in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines in December to answer to the charges.

District School Board of Niagara on Monday confirmed Nesbitt was a Grade 7 teacher at Forestview Public School in Niagara Falls.

The school board said Nesbitt was hired in 2005 and worked various temporary contracts until 2013 when he started working full time at Forestview.

Niagara Regional Police said their investigation was not related to his employment.

Const. Phil Gavin said the investigation is ongoing and involves the NRP internet child exploitation unit and technical crimes unit.

Kim Sweeney, DSBN's chief communications officer, said Nesbitt has been suspended.

A letter authored by the DSBN's superintendent of education was distributed to families of Forestview students Sunday.

This news is distressing to the principal and staff at Forestview, and we understand that it is upsetting for families as well," Darren VanHooydonk said in the letter to parents.

The letter said the board has arranged to have social workers at the Forestview Boulevard school this week to assist students.

He added the board will be conducting its own investigation into the matter.

Alison Langley is a St. Catharines-based reporter for the Niagara Falls Review. Reach her via email: alison.langley@niagaradailies.com