Parents express shock at NYC school-porn case

NEW YORK — Parents expressed shock, concern and revulsion as they dropped off students Wednesday at a Brooklyn elementary school where a teacher's aide is accused of making videos of himself sexually exploiting children.

FBI agents arrested Taleek Brooks, 40, on Monday night after an investigation uncovered the videos on a computer seized from his home last month, authorities said.

A criminal complaint mentioned two alleged victims — both believed by the federal authorities to be current or former students at the Weeksville School, where Brooks had worked since 1995. The FBI held out the possibility there could be more student victims and was encouraging parents to come forward if they have information. Agents were expected to be at the school on Wednesday to pursue leads.

"He seemed nice. He seemed genuine. You would never think that it was him," Thea Williams said as she delivered her 7-year-old daughter to the school building, its bricks brightly adorned with a cheerful mural of a rainbow, balloons and flowers.

When she picked up the first-grader on Tuesday, "I grilled her," Williams said. "I asked her had she ever been alone with him. She said no."

She also talked to her 12-year-old son, who had graduated from the same school. He told her, "No, he never would have gotten that far with me."

"It's disgusting; it's disgusting," said Charmaine Maxwell as she dropped off her 6-year-old grandson.

"I can't believe it," Maxwell said. "Everyone believed he was such a nice person."

Brooks already had been hit with child pornography charges a month ago. On Tuesday, a federal judge revoked his bail amid new allegations.

Prosecutors said evidence included videos of Brooks spanking one naked child and fondling another in a classroom. Previously, investigators had suspected him only of trading child pornography, not producing it.

Brooks' lawyer and relatives declined to comment.

Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott met with about 20 parents on Wednesday, expressing his support. Afterward, he spoke outside the school, reiterating that everyone who works there has been properly vetted and that the FBI is investigating.

"Parents will be asking questions. They should be asking questions," Walcott said.