PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. – Pembroke Pines police arrested a “part-time, after-school care counselor” at a city-run charter elementary school Wednesday after they said he possessed child sexual abuse images and videos depicting victims as young as 3.
According to police, Douglas J. Chin held that role at Pembroke Pines Charter Elementary FSU Campus, located at 601 SW 172nd Ave. The 21-year-old also resides in the city.
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Police said Wednesday evening that Chin was identified by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force as someone who may have downloaded child sexual abuse material.
A search at Chin’s home on Northwest 184th Terrace Wednesday morning revealed electronic devices containing “numerous explicit images and videos” showing children aged roughly 3 to 14 and authorities took him into custody on child pornography charges, police said.
Police said Chin was immediately suspended from his school role following the arrest. Chin was not listed in Broward jail records as of Wednesday evening.
“The Pembroke Pines Police Department is committed to protecting all members of our community, especially children,” Capt. Adam Feiner, a Pembroke Pines police spokesperson, said in a news release. “Investigators have not identified any evidence to suggest that Chin had any inappropriate contact with the students he was responsible for. However, parents and guardians are encouraged to speak with their children to discuss whether any inappropriate contact occurred.”
Authorities asked anyone with additional information to call PPPD Detective Ralph Rienzo at 954-743-1616.
The charter school is “is offering services to any parent or student who may need to speak with a school counselor or student assistance program therapist,” police said. Those wishing to use those services were asked to call 954-499-4244.