Lakeland middle school employee charged in child sex abuse material case

A 69-year-old Shrub Oak man who works at Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School has been accused of sharing and possessing child sexual abuse material.

Francis John Teeling was arrested on Aug. 11 following an investigation by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office High Technology Crime Squad.

Investigators allege that on two occasions between April and August 2026, Teeling shared a digital file depicting an approximately 7- to 10-year-old girl engaged in sexual conduct to Microsoft Bing and possessed a digital file depicting an approximately 5- to 8-year-old girl engaged in sexual conduct.

The crimes did not take place on school grounds.

The investigation began following a referral from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the New York State Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Teeling, an employee of Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School in Yorktown Heights, was charged with promoting an obscene sexual performance by a child and possessing an obscene sexual performance by a child, both felonies.

Superintendent of Lakeland Schools Karen Gagliardi told Yorktown News in a statement that the district learned of the allegations on Aug. 12. 

Gagliardi said Teeling was “an itinerant substitute Food Service employee” and worked with the district solely in that capacity.

“We are cooperating fully with law enforcement, as always, and will take all appropriate steps to protect the safety and well-being of our school community,” she wrote. “While we are legally constrained from commenting further on this matter, I want to reassure our students, families and staff that the safety and trust of our school community remain our highest priorities.”

District Attorney Susan Cacace said the investigation demonstrates that people who possess or share child sexual abuse material can be identified by law enforcement.

“Those who possess or share child sexual abuse material should be under no illusion that their depraved conduct is hidden from law enforcement. Through our strong partnerships with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the New York Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, my office is committed to exposing online predators and preventing further abuse and exploitation of children,” she said in a press release from her office. “With the school year about to begin, I urge parents to stay vigilant and monitor their children’s social media and internet activity. Make sure your children understand the dangers of sharing explicit images online, especially with people they do not know.”

The case is being prosecuted by Michael Delohery, chief of the District Attorney’s Cyber Crimes Bureau.

Teeling was arraigned before Judge Gary Raniolo in Yorktown Justice Court on Aug. 11 and pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $10,000 cash, $25,000 bond or a $50,000 partially secured bond.

Teeling is due back in court Sept. 22.