By Wyn Delano and Steve Burns
CHARLES COUNTY — (WMAL) A Charles County Teacher who told authorities he was HIV Positive was arrested for sexually abusing minors.
The accused teacher, Carlos Deangelo Bell, 30, of Waldorf, was also involved in the production of child pornography. Authorities said no child has tested positive for HIV yet, but tests are still ongoing.
Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry said they know of seven victims, but there are likely more. Bell has been charged with production of child pornography and three counts of second-degree assault. More charges may be forthcoming, said Charles County State’s Attorney Tony Covington.
“The Sheriff’s Office is still in the process of trying to identify the youngsters involved, and interview them,” Covington told reporters.
Bell had been an instructional assistant at Benjamin Stoddert Middle School in Waldorf and a former track coach at La Plata High School. He was removed from both schools in December 2016, after the allegations first surfaced. A parent noticed explicit messages from Bell to their child, Superintendent Kimberly Hill said.
“These allegations are horrifying,” Hill said. “I can assure you that there will be very persistent follow-up for us to determine exactly what happened and how it was allowed to happen.”
She said two background checks on Bell came back clean.
He was arrested at his home on June 30 after a Charles County Grand Jury indicted him.
He is currently being held at the Charles County Detention Center with no bond.
Copyright 2017 WMAL.com All Rights Reserved. (Photo: Charles County Sheriff)
