A West Virginia community is in shock after the arrest of a local high school principal. Eric James, who leads Brooke High School in Wellsburg, was taken into custody following the discovery of hidden cameras in two locations used by female students. According to Brooke County Sheriff Richard Beatty, the cameras were found in the girls’ physical education locker room and a separate room where the dance team changes.
James is facing one count of intercepting electronic communications, a felony, along with two counts of breaking and entering a nonresidence. He is currently being held at the Northern Regional Jail with a bond set at $100,000. Sheriff Beatty confirmed at a press conference on Thursday that the investigation remains active, and that authorities have already met with the parents of the students affected by this breach of privacy.
For parents everywhere, this story hits close to home. It’s a stark reminder that while we trust schools to educate and protect our children, that trust must be earned every single day. It also raises questions about what safeguards are in place at our own local schools here on the Suncoast. Do you feel confident in the security measures at your child’s school? Let us know in the comments below.
