substitute teacher arrested after caught by student performing lewd act

SALT LAKE CITY -- An 81-year-old substitute teacher, Morris Richard Saunders, was arrested on Saturday after being caught performing a lewd act at Clayton Middle School. The incident reportedly occurred during school hours when a student witnessed him masturbating in an empty room.

According to Brent Weisberg from the Salt Lake City Police Department, the authorities were notified after the student observed the act on March 18, 2025. Saunders was subsequently charged with lewdness involving a child.

The case is currently under investigation by the Special Victims Unit. Following the incident, a search warrant was executed with support from the Salt Lake City Police Department's Violent Criminal Apprehension Team to gather more evidence.

Weisberg noted that the investigation is being assisted by SLCPD School Resource Officers, emphasizing the cooperative effort from both the police and the Salt Lake City School District in addressing the situation.

The school district and Clayton Middle School have been working closely with law enforcement as the investigation unfolds, ensuring that the matter is handled appropriately.