Baldwin-Whitehall school custodian arrested on child porn charges

A Baldwin-Whitehall school custodian was arrested on nearly two dozen charges of child pornography.

Whitehall police said the investigation into 55-year-old Michael Siar began in April after learning that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received 13 cyber tips about him. 

Whitehall police and FBI Pittsburgh's Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force carried out a search warrant at Siar's home in May, seizing several electronic devices with multiple images of child sexual abuse material. Police said the discovery led to more search warrants, and during a four-month forensic examination, they looked at 10 phones, a tablet and camera. 

Police said Siar was immediately placed on administrative leave the day the search warrant was executed, and during the investigation, he had no access to any Baldwin-Whitehall school facilities. Investigators said they don't believe any of the photos or videos on Siar's personal devices were connected to his job. 

"We have not found a connection between his employment with the images. We've also not identified any Baldwin-Whitehall School District student as a victim in this particular incident," said Whitehall Police Chief Jason Gagorik. 

According to the criminal complaint, the photos were obtained through Kik and social media apps like Instagram and TikTok.

"You wouldn't allow any stranger in your house, and the internet allows whoever to be speaking with your child, so just keep that in mind," said Whitehall police investigator Brett Newbould.

Superintendent Dr. Randal Lutz said there were no red flags.

"The same clearances that I need would be the same things that all of our employees need, including our custodians. So, in regard to that, he had all the necessary employment papers to be an employee within a school district," Dr. Lutz said. 

Now the Bladwin-Whitehall school district is moving forward with separating from Siar.

"In some ways, I hope the charges aren't true, but I'm sure there's reason that they were brought forward and that anyone was involved in this type of stuff, it's sad, it's disgusting. And if it's true, then I'm glad he's gone," said Dr. Lutz.

The 55-year-old's employment with the district will be terminated once it goes to the school board for a vote during the next school board meeting.

Siar was arrested on 22 counts of possession of child pornography and three counts of criminal use of a communication facility. He was arraigned and released on non-monetary bail.