Reader comments
Charges coming in Davis County over nude photos

97 comments   |   Read story

More predatory behavior | 1:56 a.m. March 7, 2008
"Davis County prosecutors are offering some of the teens a chance to enter into a diversion agreement for counseling or classes to avoid charges. Those who decline could be brought to court, Dunn said."

No fit parent would allow their children to enter into a diversion agreement for counseling and it's the responsibility of parents to hire an attorney to fight these idiotic charges. It's obvious that the Davis County prosecutors are imbeciles who need to concern themselves with their children and not other people's. The only "moral crime" here is on the part of the prosecutors and the parents should counsel their children against doing this in the future but they should stand united and protect their children against the predators who want to prosecute them. What kind of perverts are these prosecutors? It's obvious they are sick and enjoy preying on children and they should be ashamed of themselves.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
L. G. KIRKPATRICK | 4:44 a.m. March 7, 2008
ANOTHER TIMELY AND GREAT ARTICLE, WINSLOW! So how come these kids have so much free and unsupervised time? Looks like they could use some more homework, a little closely-supervised probation, more parental/custodial care, and a whole lot of psychological counseling, both during and after they've served their court-ordered sentences to whatever terms the courts decide . . . .
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
grizzman | 5:32 a.m. March 7, 2008
its very simple...new school policy..no cell phones or i pods on school property, we didn't have them when i was in school...if we needed to make a call, we went to the office, or if someone needed to contact us, they called the office, just because there available doesn't mean they have to be used in public schools...why are administrators afraid to take the high road on issues like these..its all controllable..it comes down to will they do it..its a matter of choice.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Anonymous | 6:23 a.m. March 7, 2008
Kids do stupid stuff. It is us adults who make it worse than it is. Parents should have a talk with their kids and that should be their warnings. Making felons out of these kids? Please, get a real life. I wonder if it is the public officials who are enjoying and getting off on these pictures that they are trying to keep prolonging this case for their enjoyment. How shameful!
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
A Teacher | 6:38 a.m. March 7, 2008
Cell phones are the worst thing to hit schools since bad meat... seriously though, I have to deal with cell phone issues on a daily basis. You can't catch every student with their cell phone out. Parents should learn how to use their child's cell phones and check them frequently. These kids don't understand what they're getting into.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Providence Mom | 6:56 a.m. March 7, 2008
I had to learn the hard way when I gave my daughter a cell phone. She spent all her time texting and there were some provocative pictures exchanged as well. Then I got smart and talked to our cell provider who walked me through how I could read her texts and see anything she sent or received via my email and through the provider's web site. After I told her this, and checked up at least weekly, many things have improved in her life! She gets more sleep, I know who she is chatting with, where she is, and more importantly, where she isn't, and often what she is doing. Children tend to get sucked up in this world of anonymity provided by cell and computer and when they think no one is watching, they can really get themselves into trouble. They need to know we, as parents, care enough to know what is happening, even if they grumble for a while that we would be so involved. It is so heartbreaking to see our children have to face consequences of something like this so keeping a close eye on them is much better!
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Salem Judges | 7:00 a.m. March 7, 2008
Tread carefully here, Mr. Dunn. Naughty, naughty children -- but they grow out of this sort of thing. Don't convoke the majesty of the law to humiliate and ruin these kids. I know a good many bishop and stake president who played strip poker in junior high.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Sex-obsessed prosecutors | 7:19 a.m. March 7, 2008
Given the number of stories on this investigation, and now prosecution, it can't be helping the image of the Davis County Attorney's office.

Kids trading nude photos of each other is bad, but adult prosecutors trading nude photos of children on taxpayer-time is good?
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
to: More predatory behavior | 7:32 a.m. March 7, 2008
Quoting 'More predatory behavior':

"No fit parent would allow their children to enter into a diversion agreement for counseling and it's the responsibility of parents to hire an attorney to fight these idiotic charges."

Yes, getting them counseling instead of prison is going to harm them for life. It might actually deter this behavior in the future!

"It's obvious that the Davis County prosecutors are imbeciles who need to concern themselves with their children and not other people's."

If they did that, they would be out of a job. By your logic, we should stop prosecuting criminals because our attorneys need to raise their kids instead of working for a living.

"What kind of perverts are these prosecutors?"

They aren't perverts at all. They are the people that take perverts off the streets to protect our children. Getting a small group of teens educated and awakened in counseling could prevent a lifetime of pain and heartache for their families.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
NO CELL PHONES!!! | 7:29 a.m. March 7, 2008
Parents bend over backwards for any request by their teenagers. Saying NO is a good thing. It actually teaches kids to value things, working toward things, and appreciating things. Saying yes to everything is ABUSE!!
Take away cell phones or limit which numbers they are allowed to call, which means your number as the parent and 911. THAT'S IT
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Adults fault | 7:45 a.m. March 7, 2008
The parents fault for allowing kids to have cell phones, or at least not monitoring them.
School district or States fault for allowing phones in school at all.
Give a kid a open bottle of bear and walk away, guess what, many will drink it or abuse it.
Giving them a cell phone with camera and text capabilities is the same.
Take charge!!
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Dr Jazz-in Colorado | 7:42 a.m. March 7, 2008
WOW Nice world we live in when so many want to sweep this behavior under the rug.

Your right they will probably "grow out of it" except for the kids that grow up to be sexual predators b/c of this expose and the unchecked nature of the majority of your responses. Probably no big deal. Maybe we should ask the parents of the 19 yo coed in Reno?

Parents are usually the least objective in situation involving their children such as this. Scott Petersons parents stood behind their son.

This is a scary situation and another reason my 14 yo is without a phone. By the way he made this choose himself. He was wise enough to see that his fellow classmates often were in trouble b/c of their phones and told us he didn't want one.

Good luck to all involved b/c the same situation is happening all over. Just ask the good people in Monticello, Utah.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
No cells for my kids | 7:44 a.m. March 7, 2008
Kids do amazingly stupid things once you hand them the phone, even innocent things like waking up at 3am to use the bathroom, and deciding, since they're up anyway, to call a friend. I survived and managed to find a way to call my parents as needed in the days before cell phones. My kids can have a cell phone the moment they're a) old enough to legally sign the contract and b) have enough money in their budget to pay for it. In the meantime, they are learning that cells are TOOLS not TOYS.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Anonymous | 7:46 a.m. March 7, 2008
To those who think this is no big deal...

The "children" are using the photos to "force" the other "children" to do things they don't want to do; this sounds like blackmail or forcible sexual contact or in some cases possibly rape. All of these things are serious. This is not just strip poker. The photos can be sent to anyone including the local pedophiles. These activities are harmful to many. Where/when do we draw the line?


To those who believe taking the cell phones out of school will help...

The nude photos are probably not being taken at school and may not even be sent during school. Small cameras are readily available. The technology is here now; we need to find a way to deal with it.

Parental involvement is needed but as you may read in more than one post, many may not take it seriously. Some parents are not even involved enough to realize their kids text during school or that they know how to send photos.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
GT | 8:00 a.m. March 7, 2008
FCC violation is a Felon.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Spanky | 8:15 a.m. March 7, 2008
Isn't it ironic that in a state with the highest birth rate, that the majority of the population finds the human body and sex so "dirty". Hey Utah, get a clue. These are young kids finding out about their own sexuality, and kids have been doing this since the beginning of time. All of these retentive cops and parents should sit down and think about how foolish they sound getting so upset about such a minor problem.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
uncannygunman | 8:14 a.m. March 7, 2008
Breaking news: Davis county authorities catch Johnny and Janie playing doctor, charge them both with the unlicensed practice of medicine!

This would be hilarious if it weren't for the serious potential legal consequences to the kids and their parents.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Anonymous | 8:27 a.m. March 7, 2008
If there is nothing done to these "children" who acted like adults, and they get away with no consequences, then we as a society are just asking for more problems from them when they do become adults. It will be a hard lesson to learn, but a valuable one. If we as parents quit giving in to our children, and force them to face the consequence of their choice, then we are teaching them to become responsible adults.
The Davis County Attorney is just doing his job. If you live there, and don't like what he is doing, take political action to get him out. Otherwise, pay attention to your own children and make sure they are not out making the same mistakes as these children did.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
John | 8:30 a.m. March 7, 2008
I think that they should take pictures of flowers instead. I mean who doesn't like flowers you know.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0
Sabrower | 8:30 a.m. March 7, 2008
Teenagers are different now that we have the internet and the technology that makes it harder to control them. We must make the difference in their lives. There are too many parents that give up. Look at the case of the 16 year old girl that killed her family and then burned down the house, just because her parents didn't want her to see the boy she was dating. The kids today are harder to handle and we made it that way, so we have to take on more of the responsibility and make sure they are loved and watched carefully. My children are precious jewels to me and nobody or nothing is going to ruin them. I will die before I let that happen.
Recommend
Recommendations: 0

No. Utah sees a major earthquake every 350 years. Last one? 350 years ago.