MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A former school employee in Minnesota facing child pornography charges made his first court appearance on Wednesday.
Authorities say he used artificial intelligence to make sexually explicit images of children under his care.
Investigators think more victims may still be out there.
The school is one of several where William Haslach worked for years, including as an employee of ISD 622 for more than three years.
Investigators say he watched over lunch and school drop-off times.
In another district, Haslach served as a summer programs assistant.
A federal indictment says during that time, he used that access to take pictures of kids in his care.
He then allegedly used artificial intelligence to turn those photos into child pornography.
“This is going to get worse,” forensic expert Heather Barnhart said. “It’s not an isolated incident.”
Barnhart, one of the nation’s top forensic experts, says criminals are increasingly using AI for evil.
“We can’t put it away. The cat is out of the bag. It’s going to keep happening,” Barnhart said. “It’s a catch-up game, and unfortunately, they need to pick up their pace because AI is not slowing down.”
Haslach is now charged with possession of child porn, as well as production of obscene visual representation of child sex abuse.
Investigators say it’s likely he was distributing the photos he created, adding they fear he has more victims than they are aware of.
“I’m horrified for the children, for their families, for these communities,” Minnesota State Sen. Erin Maye Quade said.
Quade is already working on a bill that would hold AI companies accountable in similar cases.
“We shouldn’t be living in a world where anybody can make a video or picture of us naked just because we happen to be around them and they have a picture of us,” Quade added.
In the meantime, Barnhart says keep your kid’s world small and ask yourself when a photo is posted, who has access?
“We just have to fight to have our kids protected, to keep protecting the innocent and learn how to leverage technology.”
A judge ordered Haslach to remain in custody for now. A formal detention hearing is set for next Monday.
On top of the federal charges, Haslach is also facing state charges.
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