A 39-year-old Niagara-on-the-Lake man is free on bail and facing three child pornography charges after an investigation by the Niagara police internet child exploitation unit.

Weston Thomas Nesbitt was arrested Saturday by Niagara Regional Police.

At a hearing Sunday, he was released on a $5,000 bail and ordered to appear again on Dec. 1.

Nesbitt, a Grade 7 teacher at Forestview Public School in Niagara Falls, faces one count each of possession of child pornography, making child pornography and making child pornography available.

Police spokesperson Const. Phil Gavin told The Lake Report that “the investigation, arrest and charges are not related to his employment. The investigation remains ongoing by detectives.”

The District School Board of Niagara has suspended Nesbitt and removed him from the classroom, spokesperson Kim Sweeney said.

In a letter to Forestview families on Monday, DSBN superintendent of education Darren VanHooydonk said that immediately upon hearing of the charges, Nesbitt “was removed from his duties and will not be returning to any DSBN school.”

“This news is distressing to the principal and staff at Forestview and we understand that it is upsetting for families as well,” VanHooydonk told parents.

“It is possible that your child may have feelings about this news that they would like support with. We are committed to providing for the needs of our students and have arranged for social workers to be at our school all week if needed,” he said.

Sweeney said Nesbitt was hired in 2005 and “worked various temporary contracts until 2013 when he started working at Forestview full-time.”

“He has been suspended, removed from the classroom, is at home and will not be back in a DSBN school,” she said.

VanHooydonk also told parents that Niagara police are asking anyone with information about this case or the suspect to contact them.