Miami Beach Vice Principal Arrested On Child Porn Charges
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MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) – Calling the accusations against him "reprehensible," the Miami-Dade public school district is moving to fire an elementary school assistant principal who was arrested on child porn charges.
Donald Clippinger, who worked at the Fienberg-Fisher K-8 Center, was taken into custody at his Miami Shores area home by federal agents early Tuesday morning.
"There was movement here and trucks and banging," a neighbor told CBS4's Peter D'Oench.
Ada, who is taking care of Clippinger's townhouse, said she had the best opinion of him, calling him a nice guy.
Sheena Diaz said Clippinger, who lived in the townhouse alone, has been there for more than 10 years.
"He is a great person. I never expected that. I see him every morning and I say hello to him. I can't believe that," Diaz said.
School officials moved quickly to remove him and sent out a statement filled with some strong words.
"The accusations made against this employee are disgraceful and reprehensible and constitute conduct unbecoming a school district employee. Miami-Dade County Public Schools has initiated procedures for the immediate termination of this individual from any and all employment with the school district," according to a statement from the school district.
The arrest comes as a surprise to parents of students here at the elementary school, as well as the neighbors of the assistant principal.
"Just so bizarre, so terrible. What a nightmare to hear this," concerned parent Mattie Hall said.
Carlos Albelo has a 5-year-old child at the Miami Beach school. He's alarmed by the accusations against Clippinger.
"As a parent, this is not something I am comfortable with. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Not everyone wants a child in the same school," Albelo said.
Clippinger, who is accused of downloading child pornography from the internet, has taught in the district for the last 23 years.
"I wouldn't feel comfortable that there is a man there who is into this stuff and is around children. That would make any parent uncomfortable," Albelo said.
Clippinger is in federal custody and faces a hearing before a federal magistrate on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed to this report.
