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Head of DC preschool arrested after directing undercover officer 'to abuse his child,' Justice Department says

Federal authorities began investigating Carroll after a Discord employee reported a suspected file of child sexual abuse material that was uploaded onto the messaging app’s servers on Sept. 11, according to Fox5 DC. Investigators later determined the content came from an account linked to Carroll, the station added. 

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The National Child Research Center in Washington, D.C., where James Carroll is the head of school. (Google Maps)

During the alleged conversations with the undercover officer, Carroll asked the officer for "any new pics" as they discussed sexual abuse, Fox5 DC reported. 

Carroll, who made his first federal court appearance Tuesday, has now been placed on administrative leave by the school, according to a letter sent to parents by NCRC Board Chair Megan Ortiz. 

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The Justice Department says James Carroll made his first court appearance on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

"While we do not have reason to believe Mr. Carroll’s conduct involves NCRC students or families, we do understand the arrest and charging follows an FBI investigation into Mr. Carroll’s online activity on social media channels and message boards," Ortiz said in the letter, which was obtained by Fox5 DC. 

"Mr. Carroll has been instructed that he is not permitted to return to campus for any reason and is not to contact any member of the NCRC community. His access to his email, the school’s networks, and all school owned technology has been cut off," the letter reportedly added. "We are fully cooperating with the authorities and will continue to do so." 

Federal prosecutors say James Carroll "used the Discord messaging application to communicate with an undercover officer who posed as the father of a young child," prior to his arrest. (Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

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The school did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.