LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas — A Houston-area junior high school principal was arrested Thursday after investigators said they learned he had child sexual abuse images on his phone.
Dr. Chad Dwight Barrett, 56, is charged with possession of child pornography, a felony. Barrett is the Hardin Junior High School principal. Requests to Hardin Independent School District regarding his employment status were not immediately returned.
According to Liberty County Sheriff's Office officials, they were told by a juvenile and his mother that a video sent to him on social media was believed to have been sent by Barrett.
When investigators went to Barrett's school to interview him, they said he was cooperative and provided a statement. They said they were able to find out that Barrett had photos and videos of child sexual abuse on his personal phone.
"I encourage all parents who have kids with cell phones, and or access to social media to monitor who your child is communicating with on social media, for the protection of your child," LCSO spokesperson Capt. David Meyers said.
The sheriff's office is asking parents who have kids who go to the school where Barrett worked to talk to their children to see if they received any inappropriate messages, photos or videos from Barrett. Anyone who finds something of that nature is asked to call the Liberty County Sheriff's Office at 936-336-4500 and ask to speak with an investigator.