Norwalk PTO replaces DJ -- convicted child porn offender

March 31--The Norwalk Elementary PTO replaced its original DJ for tonight's father-daughter dance because he was convicted of a child porn-related offense -- even though his registration time has expired.

PTO President Carrie Service said the move was done to protect the students, a major concern for the organization. The PTO covers all three elementary schools in Norwalk City Schools, yet is independent of the district.

"We need to keep this a safe environment for our students. We can't take any chances with our children," Service said.

Norwalk resident Dan Brown, of Premier Beats Entertainment, originally was hired to DJ the event. Bikers Against Abused and Neglected Children (B.A.A.N.C.) alleged on its Facebook page that Brown was "a possible sex offender" in a post that went online at 3:26 a.m.March 21. B.A.A.N.C. is a non-profit organization that advocates for and supports abused and neglected children during their court proceedings.

Service said she was volunteering at Pleasant Elementary on March 21 when she started receiving "alarming messages" about Brown.

"I was being tagged in these posts by the B.A.A.N.C.," she added. "People were very upset and I understand why."

PTO officers immediately notified Coral Smith, Pleasant interim dean of students, about the allegations on the afternoon of March 21. The dance originally was scheduled for March 23.

"I know she (Smith) talked to Mr. (George) Fisk. I know the legal team was involved," said Service, who was told the next day that "Mr. Fisk was on top of it."

When asked about the situation, Fisk, Norwalk superintendent, said he isn't aware of "any gaps in ... district procedures concerning protecting children."

"All board-approved employees and volunteers must pass an FBI and BCI background check as a condition of employment or to volunteer. As a district we would support any local external group or organization that asked for assistance in developing procedures for their organization," he added.

However, Fisk and Service said such background checks don't apply to people working in affiliation with the PTO.

In a mugshot of Brown posted by B.A.A.N.C. on Facebook, it lists his offense as "pornography involving a minor." According to the B.A.A.N.C. post, "a quick search of the National Sex Offender Registry yielded no results" about Brown, yet a member's deeper investigation revealed "second-party mugshots and (a) description of the crime committed ... and it became clear that he was indeed an offender whose registration requirement expired."

Brown couldn't be reached for comment Thursday.

"Mr. Brown has served time for child pornography. We can't jeopardize the safety of our children -- period," Service said.

Smith called the Huron County Sheriff's Office to verify the contents of the Facebook post.

"There was not a lot of information they were allowed to release," Fisk said. "To my knowledge the only correspondence created was a flyer sent home on Wednesday, March 22 announcing the postponing of the dance."

Service said when the PTO learned about Brown's history, "we had multiple people searching multiple agencies, but the search produced unclear information.

With about a 20-minute window to decide what to do about the dance, the PTO president said it was decided to reschedule. The group hired a new DJ -- Jamie Mullins, of Unplugged Productions, who has worked at Norwalk Middle School functions.

"He came recommended -- no felony records," Service said.

Now what?

"In Ohio, anyone employed by or approved by a board of education for duties that will include the 'sole care and custody of children' must have a background check. This would include anyone paid by the school district or approved as a district volunteer," Fisk said.

"Unfortunately, those laws and policies do not extend to individuals associated with external groups such as PTOs, athletic boosters, music boosters, etc. These groups are independent, charitable organizations, outside of the jurisdiction of myself or the board of education."

Service confirmed what the superintendent said, noting that individuals such as DJs aren't required to have a background check. She said the PTO in the future will have to ask people if they have a felony record "and if we're not sure, we would send them to the district office for a background check."

"We are going to change the way we do things," Service added.

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