Ridgetop girl caught sending nude cell phone photos of self to fellow students

A 13-year-old Ridgetop Junior High girl reportedly sent nude cell phone photos of herself to two 14-year-old male students, prompting school officials to call local authorities Tuesday.

Word of the girl's nude photos quickly spread through the school and was brought to the attention of school administration.

"The principal at Ridgetop Junior High received information that one or more students with camera phones had a picture of a female student unclothed," said Kitsap County Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Scott Wilson.

Sheriff's deputies responded to the school Tuesday afternoon and interviewed the three students as well as two additional girls who said they saw the photos. The girl's face in the photographs cannot be readily identified. It is illegal, however, for anyone to have pornographic depictions of underaged children, Wilson said.

"We take all matters involving the safety of our students and staff seriously and address these matters in a timely and appropriate fashion. It is an unfortunate situation, and we appreciate the cooperation of our students, staff and parents to address this issue," said Central Kitsap School District Superintendent Greg Lynch.

"We ask parents to take this opportunity to talk with their children and young adults about the seriousness of misusing electronic communications and the long-term consequences. Awareness about misusing electronic communications is important and will help our school district continue focusing on our number one priority: providing a safe and positive learning environment for all students and staff."

No arrests were made. A report was forwarded to the prosecutors office for review of charges.

"Whatever happens next will be up to prosecutor's office," Wilson said.

Deputies confiscated one student's cell phone as evidence. All five students are from East Bremerton.

"This needs to be a wake-up call to folks who think this is funny or cute," Wilson said. "Once you hit that transmit button it goes out and you have no control of it from there."