ST. CHARLES, Mo. (KMOV/Gray News) - A middle school principal in Missouri is accused of possessing child pornography and has been arrested.

According to the St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Daniel Ott has been charged with one count of possessing child pornography and booked into the St. Charles County jail on a $500,000 bond.

School officials said Ott has been an assistant principal at Hollenbeck Middle School.

Investigators say Ott spoke with other users on apps such as Kik and Telegram about the sexual abuse of children while mentioning that he was a middle school principal and speaking explicitly about girls in middle school.

Authorities said Ott told one user, “Some 8th graders are hot as hell.”

A probable cause statement stated that investigators also found multiple child sexual abuse material images on Ott’s phone.

Ott was placed on leave following his arrest, according to a letter sent by Francis Howell Superintendent Mark Delaney. Ott has been an assistant principal at the school since 2024.

Delaney wrote that at this time, there was no indication that any Hollenbeck Middle School students were involved in the alleged crimes.

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