By Barbara A. Preston | April 22, 2026
"We understand this situation is upsetting and concerning for many families," begins a letter distributed by email to the Montgomery Township School community today. "As parents and educators, we share your concern. The safety, dignity, and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities."
A letter from Board of Education President Patrick Todd and Superintendent of Schools Mary E. McLoughlin further states: "We are aware of the recent news reports describing allegations involving the misuse of artificial intelligence to create and share inappropriate images of students in our community outside of school hours and away from school grounds."
"All affected families have been contacted," the letter stated. The district is offering counseling services to any student impacted by this breach of privacy and dignity."
We are cooperating fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so.
All parties affected by this matter have been contacted and are aware of the investigation.
Student support services are available, including counseling for any student impacted.
We are actively working to strengthen education around digital safety, responsible technology use, and the risks associated with artificial intelligence and social media.
The district also is hosting workshops such as "Beyond the Screen: Parenting in the Digital Age," which is scheduled for tonight ( April 22, 2026) to help parents and students navigate digital safety and the ethical risks of generative AI.
The Montgomery News broke this story on April 16 after speaking to several parents, an NJ State Police detective, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, the Montgomery police department, and reaching out to school officials for comment. The newspaper also checked Somerset County dispatch records for the month of March.
The story revealed that a 17-year-old Belle Mead resident was arrested at his home recently and charged with allegedly creating and distributing non-consensual deepfake nudes of at least 32 girls, according to reliable sources. Some of the victims were Montgomery High School (MHS) students.
The defendant was a senior at MHS at the time of the arrest. The Montgomery News has confirmed from multiple sources that the defendant no longer attends MHS.
The district’s communication highlights several critical factors regarding their response:
Legal Constraints: Under laws like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and N.J.S.A. 18A:12-24, the school cannot disclose specific details about the student(s) involved or the specific disciplinary actions taken.
Active Investigation: The Montgomery Township Police and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office are handling the criminal aspect of the case. The district has confirmed they are cooperating fully with these authorities.
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The district encourages parents to discuss the following with their children:
Respect, consent, and personal boundaries.
The permanence and risks of sharing images online.
The importance of speaking up if they see or experience something concerning.
As reported by The Montgomery News, this case reflects a growing national trend of AI misuse in schools, similar to incidents recently reported in Radnor, PA, and Westfield, NJ, highlighting the urgent need for updated digital citizenship curricula.
"As parents and educators, we share your concern. The safety, dignity, and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities. The type of behavior described in these reports is deeply harmful and inconsistent with the values we strive to instill in our schools and community." — Montgomery School Leaders
"We want to be transparent about an important reality: there are strict legal limits on what the school district can share. Matters involving students, especially those connected to an active law enforcement investigation, are protected by privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and New Jersey’s pupil records regulations (N.J.A.C. 6A:32-7). In addition, under the New Jersey School Ethics Act (N.J.S.A. 18A:12-24 et seq.), school officials are required to safeguard confidential information and protect the rights of all students.
"Because of these laws, we cannot discuss individual students, confirm details, or provide updates about any potential disciplinary actions. We know that can feel frustrating, but these protections are in place to ensure that all students and families are treated fairly and respectfully.
"As this continues to be an active law enforcement investigation, the school district is not able to comment on the specifics of this matter. However, we want to be clear that our commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students remains unwavering. We hold high expectations for student conduct and strongly condemn the misuse of technology, including artificial intelligence, in ways that harm, exploit, or target others. We will continue to uphold these standards and work to ensure that every student feels a sense of safety and belonging in our schools."
"This is a difficult moment for our school community, but it is also an opportunity to come together, to support one another, to reinforce our shared values, and to guide our students in navigating an increasingly complex digital world.
We appreciate your partnership, your understanding, and your continued commitment to the well-being of all Montgomery students." the letter concludes.
