SLC substitute teacher, 81, arrested for alleged lewdness | Gephardt Daily

A substitute teacher from Clayton Middle School, Morris Richard Saunders, 81, has been charged with lewdness involving a child, a class A misdemeanor. The arrest followed an incident during class hours, where Saunders allegedly took his laptop into a side closet, leaving a 13-year-old student in charge of her classmates.

When some students in the class became unruly, the young girl went to retrieve the substitute teacher. After several knocks went unanswered, she opened the door and discovered Saunders reportedly engaged in an act of self-gratification while viewing a sexual video on his computer. This shocking discovery prompted immediate action and alerting authorities.

Following the incident, a Salt Lake City police officer spoke with Saunders, who admitted to being the teacher present during the reported time. The seriousness of the allegations has raised significant concerns within the school community and among parents.

In response to the incident, Clayton Elementary Principal Kate Arch informed families that Saunders was no longer employed by the school district and highlighted the importance of support for affected students and their families. Arch expressed distress over the situation, acknowledging that many families would feel similarly.

Saunders has been released without bond pending further legal proceedings, which may include a trial. The school district is prepared to offer counseling support for students, aiming to address and assist those impacted by this alarming incident.