Former Rogers Teacher Accused of Using Social Media to Prey on Children
In a shocking revelation, former Rogers teacher Bradley Quillen has been accused of engaging in heinous child sex crimes involving the use of social media to target minors. The allegations against Quillen came to light on October 9, 2024, when he was booked into the Benton County Jail on nearly two dozen counts of child sex crimes, including possessing child sexual abuse material and engaging children in sexual activity[1].
Background
Quillen, who was a 7th and 8th grade teacher at Kirksey Middle School in Rogers, also coached basketball and track. His tenure at the school ended abruptly after he resigned on May 30. His involvement in teaching and coaching allowed him to have close proximity to his young students, a scenario that alarmingly exploited for his own illicit purposes.
The Allegations
One of the victims, Danielle Darnell, a teacher in nearby Morrilton, came forward with a harrowing account. She reported that she received a random Snapchat notification indicating that Quillen had followed her. Shortly thereafter, she claimed to have received an explicit video of Quillen masturbating. This unnerving encounter led to a frantic search by Darnell’s husband, who contacted the Rogers superintendent to report the incident. Despite their efforts to alert the authorities, they never received any further communication from the school district regarding their complaint[1].
Actions Taken by Rogers Public Schools
Rogers Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Perry acknowledged receipt of Darnell’s report but clarified that the initial concern was about his behavior with an adult rather than any allegations involving children. Perry explained that while they do hold employees to high standards, the behavior reported did not involve minors according to their knowledge at the time. The superintendent further stated that disciplinary actions were taken, including a letter to Quillen’s file and a conversation with him about the incident. However, it is clear now that these actions did not suffice against such egregious behavior involving underage victims[1].
Victim's Reaction and Concerns
Danielle Darnell expressed frustration and anger upon hearing about Quillen’s arrest years later. She emphasized the concern over the safety of children, particularly when individuals with close proximity to them are sending explicit content via social media platforms like Snapchat. Darnell pointed out that this scenario highlights broader issues with social media safety among minors.
Legal Proceedings
Quillen’s case is set for a court appearance on November 12. The Benton County Jail had released him on a 0,000 bond shortly after his arrest, leaving many wondering how such behavior could go unchecked for so long despite being reported by a colleague. The community remains deeply unsettled by these revelations, demanding greater accountability from educational institutions towards protecting their students from predators within their ranks.
This egregious incident underscores the critical need for educators and administrators to vigilantly monitor student social media interactions and swiftly address any inappropriate behavior within their institutions. As Darnell aptly puts it, “We’re going to immediately put that person on administrative leave. We get them out of the classroom so they can do no harm to kids, and kids can’t do any harm to them.”
Community Reaction and Call for Action
The community has been
