Former Cheltenham teacher charged with distributing child sexual abuse materials
Kenneth Vaughn taught at Cheltenham Elementary until the 2022-23 school year, authorities said. There's no evidence that any Cheltenham students were victimized.
A former Cheltenham Elementary School teacher was arrested and charged with keeping and distributing child sexual abuse materials.
Kenneth Vaughn, 35, of Peapack, N.J., was arrested in late August, according to the Somerset County, N.J., Prosecutor’s Office. An internet tipster reported Vaughn as having kept and shared files depicting the sexual abuse and exploitation of a minor via social media, authorities said.
Vaughn had been employed as a teacher in Branchburg, N.J., prior to his arrest, but he had previously taught at Cheltenham Elementary. He was last employed in Cheltenham in the 2022-23 school year, officials said.
New Jersey online court records show that Vaughn was arrested on Aug. 26 and was released the next day after he was processed. His case is still active.
An attorney listed in online court records as representing Vaughn could not be reached for comment Friday evening.
New Jersey 101.5 reported in September that the Branchburg Township School District said Vaughn no longer worked for the district.
In an email sent to Cheltenham families Friday, Superintendent Brian Scriven said the news was “extremely disturbing” and “extremely difficult to share.”
“While we are not aware that any district students have been victimized in any way, we encourage parents/guardians to speak to their children, and, if any additional information comes to light, we encourage you to contact Cheltenham Township Police Department,” Scriven wrote.
“Our team of school counselors and mental health professionals is available to provide assistance to anyone who may need additional support in processing this news,” he wrote.
Staff writer Robert Moran contributed to this article.