Central High student accused of texting sexually explicit photo

BROOKSVILLE — A 14-year-old boy was arrested Monday after being accused of sending a picture of his genitalia to a female classmate at Central High School.

The teen, who isn't being identified because he's a juvenile, faces charges of transmission of pornography by electronic device or equipment. He was booked into the Hernando County Jail and was set to be released to the custody of his parents.

According to an arrest report, the boy sent a text message containing the image to the girl's cell phone. The girl told her mother, who reported the incident to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, said Sheriff's spokeswoman Sgt. Donna Black.

The boy later admitted to taking a picture of himself in his bedroom and sending it to the girl. He told the girl "he was bored," the report states.

The teen was arrested at school.

Incidents of teens sending sexually explicit photos and messages to friends — a practice known as "sexting" — is an increasing trend across the country, school and law enforcement authorities say.

Black said she there have been few of the incidents reported in Hernando.