There were tears and anger in Celina on Thursday as nearly 150 parents packed a school board meeting called to discuss the arrest of Moore Middle School football coach Caleb Elliott.
“One week ago today, I got a call that brought me to my knees. I am so angry and heartbroken. We trusted that our boys were safe. We have so many questions, namely how did this happen?” said parent Carrie Braxton, one of several people who addressed the board of trustees.
Last week, Celina police arrested Elliott, charging him with invasive visual recording and possession of child pornography.
An arrest affidavit obtained by NBC 5 said students reported him earlier this month after they saw him in Moore’s locker room, “holding [his phone] near his waist in a horizontal manner…hiding it if another coach was in the vicinity.”
It goes on to describe 12 photos found by detectives that show young boys, who were nude or in various states of undress.
A chief concern among the parents of the victims who spoke was the call for a thorough investigation into whether Elliott had been previously reported or whether the administration knew of issues.
“If they knew something happened, if they knew something could’ve been prevented, then I challenge you to hold that person accountable,” said one father.
Others rushed to defend Elliott’s father, Celina High Head Football Coach and Athletic Director Bill Elliott.
Elliott eventually took the mic himself, apologizing on behalf of his family.
“I want justice to be done and justice will be done. Okay? Understand that. There’s one person to blame for all this. One person who made a bad decision and a bad choice and is in a dark, dark place. And he will serve the justice that will be served to him. He will face the consequences that will come to him. He will. That’s the way it’ll be,” said Bill Elliott.
As trustees met behind closed doors, Texas Representative Jeff Leach met with parents, echoing calls for the investigation to continue even after news that Caleb Elliott had tendered his resignation and surrendered his teaching license.
“At the state level we’re watching, and while we’ve done a lot to protect our schools and our kids, everything’s on the table when it comes to what we do going forward,” said Rep. Leach.