Derby teacher charged in child pornography investigation

The Derby Middle School teacher and coach who was arrested last month following a child pornography investigation was charged with 11 counts of sexual exploitation of a child.

Cody Chitwood, 37, made his first appearance in court Thursday morning. A preliminary hearing is set for later this month.

Chitwood – who was hired by the Derby district in 2004 – was a special education teacher, football, track and girls’ basketball coach. He has been suspended with pay.

District spokeswoman Katie Carlson said the school is cooperating with police.

“Our understanding at this time is that this matter does not involve our students or other staff,” she said at the time of his arrest.

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, a joint effort between the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant on Jan. 23 in Derby. Chitwood was booked into jail that day.

This story was originally published February 9, 2018 at 11:33 AM with the headline "Derby teacher charged in child pornography investigation."