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Head Of Preschool Caught In Child Porn Scandal Promises To Restore School's Integrity

DENVER (CBS4) - The interim head of a Denver preschool caught in a child porn scandal is promising to restore the school's integrity.

Nancy Spillane currently runs Paddington Station, where David Moe was a teacher for 18 years.

Moe has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of possessing and distributing hundreds of images of child pornography. He resigned after his arrest in July, as did the school's founding director.

When Moe was arrested the school was criticized for not addressing the matter afterwards. They didn't return CBS4 calls at the time.

David Moe Paddington Station Teacher Case
David Moe (credit: CBS)

But now -- a week before school starts -- CBS4 was invited us to come to the school and to interview their new interim director. Spillane said Thursday she was hired to bring new leadership and help the school through the crisis. She said she sees this as an opportunity to make things better.

She thinks the Moe case is "horrific" and doesn't know why Moe remained a teacher at the school after allegations of inappropriate touching of a child arose 11 years ago. That shocking development was revealed during a federal court hearing in Denver in the case.

"People want information from me but I don't have any ... anymore than what everyone else is getting," she said.

"What do you tell parents about why he was in this school for so long when there were concerns?" CBS4's Jennifer Brice asked Spillane.

"I have no idea," she said.

"If this was your school at the time would he have continued to be here?" Brice asked.

"No. ... I'm a teacher. I'm mandated by law to report not to investigate. I would make the call and I have done it many times."

An 800 page journal of Moe's is now evidence in the case. Investigators said he documented encounters with Paddington students, at different points writing the following:

I gave child 'X' a hug. I couldn't keep my hands off her and that was fun.
and
I forced some hugs. Maybe I shouldn't have but I couldn't help it.

Spillane says she's now focused on protecting children.

Spillane says enrollment at Paddington Station is down 20 percent since Moe's arrest. She also says parents who withdrew their children will receive a full refund.

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