Philadelphia middle school teacher charged with child porn, alleged victim was former student: U.S. Attorney

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A former Philadelphia middle school teacher is facing child pornography charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced on Friday afternoon.

Christopher O'Sullivan, 31, allegedly had explicit conversations with a 12-year-old boy and convinced the child to send inappropriate photos.

Federal investigators say the victim is one of his former students.

Authorities have not said at which middle school he taught, but a mother at Belmont Charter School confirmed to Action News that Christopher O'Sullivan was her son's teacher last year.

Court records reveal in July the 12-year-old and his parents reported his middle school teacher had been sending him inappropriate text messages.

The affidavit reveals O'Sullivan allegedly exchanged messages with his student that included O'Sullivan providing the 12-year-old gift cards, indicating he expected "photos and texts in return."

One of the photos sent by the minor was of his private parts.

O'Sullivan allegedly responding "Niceeee," and added, "if you're okay with it, try and send me a sexy video."

One parent says O'Sullivan was her son's fifth-grade teacher last year. She did not want to show her face on camera.

"I hope nothing happened to my child because that was his teacher. I'm just hoping my child was safe," said the Belmont Charter School parent.

"Did you ever suspect anything?" asked Action News.

"No," she replied. "But I did have a gut feeling when he asked if he could go to Wildwood at the end of the year. I said 'No.' And he called my phone. He was calling my phone, so I had a gut feeling - I just didn't let my son go that time."

Authorities also found naked images of kids on electronic devices at O'Sullivan's house.

We reached out to the Belmont Charter who told to us to call back next week and that there was no one there to respond to the accusations.

We also reached out to O'Sullivan's attorney and never heard back.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call the FBI.

O'Sullivan's next court date is Thursday, October 3.