Blizzard warnings in Northwest Minnesota, winter weather advisories across the state

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

Two families with students in Stillwater schools are planning to sue the school district, after a former employee allegedly took pictures of kids and used artificial intelligence technology to create child sexual abuse material. 

The families say they want more information about the district’s policies on personal cell phone use by staff members, and how the alleged criminal activity was able to happen.

William Haslach worked for Stillwater Area Public Schools as a paraprofessional and summer programs assistant between 2021 and 2024. He 

When those charges were filed earlier this year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office alleged that Haslach “used his access to children to take non-explicit photos of children in his care. Haslach then used those images to produce morphed/AI photos of those minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.”

Attorney Imran Ali is bringing the lawsuit on behalf of the two families. 

“It really comes down to whether or not there are adequate policies and procedures at the school district level to prevent this from happening, whether there is adequate training on the school district level to all the faculty and staff,” Ali told MPR News on Wednesday.

Ali said that he hopes legal action will prompt schools and lawmakers to tighten policies around cell phone use.

“I don’t think that they have thought through the adequate policies and procedures and also the training that goes into it. Allowing a staff member and encouraging staff members to utilize their personal phone to take pictures of children is probably not a good idea,” he said.

A spokesperson for Stillwater Area Public Schools said the district now does not allow staff to use their cell phones while with students, and staff members cannot take photos of students unless pre-approved by a supervisor. If allowed, photos can only be taken on a district-owned device.

The Stillwater district also bans all students from using cell phones during the school day. And it said it’s added a mandatory training for all staff on sexual exploitation awareness and response.

“As a school community, we are deeply saddened that some of our students were among the victims in this case involving a former Adventure Club employee. Because this is pending litigation, we cannot discuss specific allegations,” Superintendent Mike Funk said in a statement.

“We remain committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment for every student in our care, and we will continue working closely with families, staff, and law enforcement partners to uphold the highest standards of safety,” Funk said in the statement.

Haslach also was employed as a lunch monitor and traffic safety guard for the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale school district from August 2021 through January 2025.

His case is still pending in federal court. He has pleaded not guilty.

A 24-hour statewide sexual violence and domestic violence hotline is available in Minnesota. You can call Minnesota Day One at 

Minnesota News

Crime, Law and Justice

Education News

Homepage

Estelle Timar-Wilcox

Author

Two families with students in Stillwater schools are planning to sue the school district, after a former employee allegedly took pictures of kids and used artificial intelligence technology to create child sexual abuse material. 


Families plan lawsuit after former Stillwater school staffer charged with creating child sexual abuse material

Go Deeper.

Like this?