Hamilton educator arrested for child pornography

Police say a 49-year-old educator was arrested at St. Ann Catholic Elementary School in Hamilton Monday on child pornography charges.

Paul Goodman, an educational assistant at the central Hamilton school, is facing several child pornography charges.

Police say investigators located evidence of child pornography" on April 4 after seizing computers from the Saint Ann Street school on March 24.

Police say they have identified a victim as a student at St. Ann under the age of six. Police say there may be more victims.

Goodman is also a leader with Scouts Canada, according to a release from police.

Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board chair Pat Daly said in a statement the board is shocked and deeply disturbed" by the charges against Goodman, who has worked as an educational assistant at St. Ann since September 2021.

Effective immediately, Mr. Goodman has been put on unpaid leave," the statement reads.

Goodman is facing three charges, including possession of child pornography, making child pornography and making child pornography available. He is currently being held in custody, police say.

The investigation, which followed a referral from the National Child Exploitation Crime Centre, is ongoing.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Internet Exploitation Unit at 905-540-5247.

More to come ...

Kate McCullough is an education reporter at The Spectator. kmccullough@thespec.com