Charges? Yikes.

Students use cell phones to pass nude photos

'CASTLE ROCK - Police say several students at Castle Rock Middle School could face charges after the children took nude photos of classmates and distributed them on their cell phones.

Castle Rock Police detectives say as many as six girls may have been photographed, and police think possibly 50 students may have either viewed or forwarded the photos on their phones to other students.

Investigators say the students in the photos apparently had their pictures taken as part of a dare and had no idea how many others would ultimately see them.

“They were aware some people would see them, but such a large number, I don't think that's true,” said Lt. Douglas Ernst with Castle Rock Police.

“Obviously the concern is these pictures getting on the Internet and available to everybody,” said Douglas County Schools Director of Communications Whei Wong.

Wong says administrators at the school first learned of the photos on Monday and alerted parents Wednesday with phone messages and letters. They also notified some parents by e-mail. The school also made an announcement to students Wednesday.

It was a surprise to some students on Wednesday.

“I haven't heard about it yet, except for the announcements,” said 12-year-old Janelle Hilmes, a student at Castle Rock Middle School.

Police say the students could face jail time and fines depending on the intent of the photographs. Investigators say charges could be filed next week.

The school district is also investigating to determine a punishment.

The Douglas County School District is encouraging parents to check their children’s cell phones for inappropriate photos.

Police say if parents find the images being circulated, they can forward them to detectives to determine if the pictures are still needed for additional evidence.

Students told 9NEWS phones are also not allowed on the Castle Rock Middle School campus.

Additionally, the school told students on Wednesday that any cell phones found would not be returned to the student at the end of the day, as they were previously. Instead, a parent must come to pick up the phone.'