Aptos parents discuss tools to address child porn suspect

An Aptos Elementary School still reeling after a man that once worked there was arrested on child pornography charges.

Wednesday, Mar Vista Elementary School held a meeting to help give parents tools to discuss the situation with their children.

This meeting comes after a community forum held a week prior drew more than a hundred parents to Aptos High School.

Wednesday’s meeting for Mar Vista and Valencia Elementary Schools was a lot smaller but, parents say it’s a valuable discussion.

“The fact that they’re doing this I think is really important to be aware and to continue to observe behaviors at home and at school for all of our kids,” said parent Jorge Suarez.

Suarez is a father of two Mar Vista Elementary School students. He’s one of many parents concerned after the arrest 19-year old Ryan Spencer.

Through the Santa Cruz County parks and recreation, Spencer was a former Mar Vista Elementary after-school employee. He’s accused of making and sharing child pornography. Many parents still don’t know if their child could be involved.

“No one here knew that this was happening,” Suarez said. “This person was loved by the kids, now we’re dealing with this.”

The meeting at Mar Vista Elementary School had a panel made up of a psychotherapist, counselors and an organization that specializes in child sexual abuse survivors.

The school principal said meetings like this will help with the healing process. Jorge Suarez says he’s already learning.

“We must talk to our children, we must listen to them, we must offer some comfort to them when they get in trouble and have that dialogue,” Suarez said.

As for Ryan Spencer, he was arraigned Tuesday and pleaded not guilty. He’ll stay in custody until his next court date on Tuesday.