Teacher arrested for porn released

ORLANDO, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - He is not accused of acting on any impulses stemming from what investigators call his obsession with child pornography. However, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigations said Robert Barth, 57, of Orlando admitted that he fantasizes about children.

Given that Barth worked at Cheney Elementary School and has housed 20 foster children with his wife since 2002, authorities felt compelled to arrest him last week.

The FBI also tracked child pornography to Barth’s computer, which agents said contained more than a thousand images of children, and more than 20 videos of children as young as 2 and 3 years of age involved in sex acts.

“It’s amazing. We didn't have any idea. It's a pretty cool neighborhood. Really, you wouldn't expect that to happen,” said neighbor Jesse Cox.

In federal court on Thursday, Barth’s wife said her husband has a problem, adding that he suffers from depression and is dealing with his addiction to child porn. She also said he is seeking therapy.

The Florida Department of Children and Families is also investigating. They interviewed all 20 of the children who have been under Barth’s care. None of the children are living at Barth’s home now.

“We were able to rule out that these victims were not foster children,” said DCF spokesperson Carrie Hoeppner.

Barth taught at Cheney Elementary School between 2004 and late 2008. He spent a few years teaching 4th grade and the last two as a 2nd grade teacher. The school district removed Barth from the classroom when they first caught wind of the FBI's investigation.

Barth is out on a $25,000 bond. He is not allowed to go near a computer, or children.