Frankfort elementary school teacher suspected of having child porn

FRANKFORT, Ind. — Suncrest Elementary School third-grade teacher Cody Shanks found himself in the Miami County Jail on Wednesday on suspicion of possession child pornography.

Indiana State Police confirmed Shanks was the teacher in the Frankfort school district.

Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children received a tip about child pornography that led to a search warrant being served on a residence located in the 300 block West Indiana 218 in Bunker Hill, according to a news release from the state police.

Based on the evidence they found, police arrested Shanks, 28, on three counts of suspicion of possessing child pornography.

Frankfort schools Superintendent Matt Rhonda shared the email sent out to Suncrest parents about 4 p.m. Wednesday and also provided a brief interview with the Journal & Courier.

"We were notified by the Indiana State Police that Cody was under investigation," Rhoda said.

"We are cooperating with police in the investigation. We also have our own school investigation taking place," Rhoda said.

"We immediately placed the staff member on leave pending the outcome of the investigation," Rhoda said.

"He is on a leave pending the outcome of both investigation," Rhoda said. "Because this is an ongoing investigation, no further details can be provided at this time."

"Please know that the safety and well-being of our students is a top priority," he wrote.

The Journal & Courier contacted a man who described himself as one of Shanks' family member. He hung up on the J&C when asked to pass along the phone number and a request for Shanks to call for comment.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Frankfort elementary school teacher suspected of having child porn