LAKE WALES, Fla. (WFLA) — A 60-year-old substitute teacher was arrested Tuesday after Lake Wales police said she was caught showing sexually explicit photos of herself to her elementary students.
Park Avenue Private School administrators contacted the Lake Wales Police Department on Nov. 7 after they reportedly learned of Gayle Wessel’s actions in her classroom. Officials said Wessel was fired that same day.
Detectives launched a months-long investigation, during which they discovered hundreds of explicit images and videos on Wessel’s phone — many of which included herself, the police department said.
Several of Wessel’s students reportedly confirmed that she had shown them the images on her phone during interviews with police.
Wessel was spotted trying to delete nude photos from her phone during her first interaction with detectives, officials reported.
Investigators said she later admitted to exposing her students to inappropriate material and acknowledged that she had tried to destroy the evidence.
Wessel was taken into custody on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at a local motel. The former substitute teacher is facing six counts of showing obscene material to minors and one count of tampering with evidence, according to the police department.
Wessel also has a criminal history including prior arrests for trespassing, battery, resisting arrest and criminal mischief.
“The Lake Wales Police Department remains committed to protecting the children of our community and holding individuals accountable that endanger their safety,” police wrote in a news release.
Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact Detective Raines at the Lake Wales Police Department.
Park Avenue Private School administrators contacted the Lake Wales Police Department on Nov. 7 after they reportedly learned of Gayle Wessel’s actions in her classroom. Officials said Wessel was fired that same day.
Detectives launched a months-long investigation, during which they discovered hundreds of explicit images and videos on Wessel’s phone — many of which included herself, the police department said.
Several of Wessel’s students reportedly confirmed that she had shown them the images on her phone during interviews with police.
Wessel was spotted trying to delete nude photos from her phone during her first interaction with detectives, officials reported.
Investigators said she later admitted to exposing her students to inappropriate material and acknowledged that she had tried to destroy the evidence.
Wessel was taken into custody on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at a local motel. The former substitute teacher is facing six counts of showing obscene material to minors and one count of tampering with evidence, according to the police department.
Wessel also has a criminal history including prior arrests for trespassing, battery, resisting arrest and criminal mischief.
“The Lake Wales Police Department remains committed to protecting the children of our community and holding individuals accountable that endanger their safety,” police wrote in a news release.
Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact Detective Raines at the Lake Wales Police Department.
