KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The North Kansas City School District revealed Wednesday that a teacher who is facing multiple counts of child pornography charges taught at 21 elementary schools in the district.
Dennis Hernandez served as support staff for School Age Child Care, the district's before and after-school care program commonly known as Adventure Club, at all 21 of the elementary schools.
He was also a substitute paraprofessional at multiple elementary schools, including Crestview Elementary, Fox Hill Elementary, Maplewood Elementary, Nashua Elementary, and Winnwood Elementary, as well as a first-grade substitute at Nashua, Fox Hill and Meadowbrook elementary schools.
The school district's website also shows that Hernandez taught at the Early Education Center and at the Gateway and Eastgate 6th Grade Centers.
"As educators, we are appalled by these incidents and are working tirelessly to provide answers, accountability, and a path forward for families," the district wrote in a statement Wednesday.
NKC Schools also provided answers to common questions and the FBI's online reporting page and their hotline (1800-CALL-FBI) for anyone who would like to submit tips or information.
Hernandez was charged with transportation of child pornography, production and attempted production of child pornography and possession of child pornography after his arrest on Aug. 20.
Hernandez, who was a first-grade teacher at Fairmount Elementary School in Independence, admitted to recording minor victims who were "in his care at multiple local elementary schools and locker rooms for the past few years," during an interview with detectives.
An Independence School District spokesperson confirmed that the district was aware one of its employees was under a federal investigation, but did not name the employee or their role at the time.
The district followed up with a statement to families, which read, in part, "The Independence School District is deeply disturbed by the charges filed today by the Office of the U.S. Attorney. Crimes of this nature are abhorrent and stand in direct opposition to everything we value as a district."
According to the district, Hernandez taught for two days before they learned of the investigation.
"We remain committed to fostering a respectful and supportive learning environment for all students and staff," the district said in a notification to families. "Thank you for your continued understanding and partnership as we work together to ensure a positive and successful school year."
Federal investigators also confirmed that Hernandez was a substitute teacher in the North Kansas City School District.
A letter released by the district to families a day after Hernandez's arrest disclosed that Hernandez worked at several elementary schools in the district, including Crestview, Fox Hill, Nashua and the EEC, as well as the summer school-age child care programs at Chapel Hill, Meadowbrook and Oakwood Manor.
"We understand this is unsettling news to receive, but it is important that you hear directly from us," the district said in the letter. "North Kansas City Schools has very high expectations of staff. In the strongest possible terms, we condemn these alleged actions and will take all possible steps to ensure accountability."
Following Hernandez's arrest, the FBI announced on Aug. 22 that it had set up a special website for people and families who believe they may have been victims of a teacher charged with producing child sexual abuse materials.
“The FBI takes every tip seriously and will investigate the tip to the fullest extent,” the agency said. “Due to the potential for a high volume of public tips, you may not receive any additional contact from the FBI if your minor dependent(s) are not identified as potential victims of the ongoing investigation.”
“If your minor is identified to be a potential victim within the investigative process, the FBI will reach out regarding notification and seek additional information from you and or your minor dependent.”
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If you have any information about a crime, you may contact your local police department directly. But if you want or need to remain anonymous, you should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline by calling 816-474-TIPS (8477), submitting the tip online or through the free mobile app at P3Tips.com. Depending on your tip, Crime Stoppers could offer you a cash reward.
Annual homicide details and data for the Kansas City area are available through the KSHB 41 News Homicide Tracker, which was launched in 2015. Read the KSHB 41 News Mug Shot Policy.
