Franklin School Janitor Faces Child Porn Charges

A custodian for Franklin public schools has been arrested in child pornography charges, but officials say there is no evidence any local children were harmed.

Michael Silvia, 45, was arrested at his Taunton home earlier this week and released on $500 bail Wednesday after pleading not guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography.

A search of a laptop computer found under a pile of clothes at his home turned up more than 300 child pornography images, including girls engaged in sex acts, police said.

Franklin school officials and the town administrator said in a message to parents that Silvia worked a late shift when classes were not in session and there is no evidence that any children from the town were involved.

Silvia was placed on paid administrative leave about three weeks ago when Taunton police informed Franklin officials about their investigation. Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting said he will make a final determination on Silvia's employment status when he knows more about the case.

The investigation was launched after police got a tip from an online child safety group.

A working number of Silvia could not be located and no one answered the door at his Taunton home.