Private school teacher, 70, arrested on child pornography charges in Prince George's County

Donald Kirk Marchand III, 70, of College Park was arrested on multiple counts of distribution and possession of child pornography. He had been employed at an all-girls Catholic school in Bladensburg, Maryland.

Teacher at all-girls Catholic school charged with child pornography offences

Donald Kirk Marchand III, 70, of College Park, Maryland, was arrested on multiple counts of distribution and possession of child pornography, fox5dc.com reported, citing Maryland State Police.

Marchand was taken into custody at approximately 8 a.m. following an investigation launched earlier in September by the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. During the investigation, officials established that Marchand was employed as a teacher at Elizabeth Seton High School, an all-girls private Catholic school in Bladensburg.

School president Lisa Grillo said in a statement that Marchand had been placed on administrative leave before his employment was later terminated. "Though Mr. Marchand was vetted through all Maryland state educational background checks prior to the start of his employment, the charges revealed today based on alleged conduct beginning in September 2026 require a removal from our school," Grillo said.

Grillo also stated that the charges bear no connection to students or staff at the school. "We take the safety and security of our students as our highest responsibility," she said. "We are in direct communication and cooperating with law enforcement. Based on the information shared, we are confident that there is no connection between the charges and our students or other staff."

Police noted that Marchand had previously worked at other institutions before joining Elizabeth Seton. A search of his residence led to the seizure of multiple pieces of evidence.

Marchand is currently awaiting a bail review hearing.

Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the investigation to contact the Maryland State Police Child Exploitation Unit at 1-800-637-5437.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)