After a former Celina ISD teacher and coach was arrested for recording students, the district held a meeting to update parents. There, his father – the district’s athletic director – promised to seek justice.
Police arrested 26-year-old Caleb Elliott, a former history teacher and football coach at Moore Middle School, on October 3 for invasive visual recording in a bathroom. The Celina Police Department announced on October 9 that he was also charged with possession of child pornography.
Celina ISD held a special meeting on October 16 to discuss the investigation against Elliott. His father, Bill Elliott – Celina High School’s head coach, who led the undefeated football team in 2024 – vowed to pursue justice.
“I will do all I can to make sure that justice prevails, that things are done right,” Bill Elliott said, according to WFAA. “Justice will be served to him; he will face the consequences that will come to him.”
“My heart is broken,” he added. “I love this town, I love this community, I love our kids. We will do all we can to protect our kids, I promise you.”
Bill Elliott said Caleb had made bad decisions, which led him to a “dark place.” He apologized that his son’s actions had marred the family name, as well as that of the district, its athletics, and Celina.
“I am sorry. I spent 33 years of my life here, my family was born into this place,” Elliott said. “I love watching your kids play on that field out there… This is a special community, and it demands special people.”
Elliott’s family was “in the trenches,” he said. He expressed sympathy for the pain of others in the community, and said officials will find anyone else involved.
“You also need to know that I will always love my son. Just like you love your kids no matter what, I will love him,” Elliott said. “I will demand that he gets help, that he gets taken care of, and that he serves whatever the courts come down upon him to serve. … Justice will prevail.”
During the meeting, two families of players on Caleb Elliott’s teams came forward as those who initially called police, according to WFAA. Elliott allegedly recorded their sons on a cell phone in the locker room.
Caleb Elliott graduated from Celina High School in 2018, where he played varsity football, according to Texas Scorecard. He worked in Celina ISD as a substitute teacher and maintenance worker from 2021 to 2022, then graduated from the University of North Texas.
Elliott’s teacher certification became active in June 2024, according to state records. While his certification is still valid, it is currently “under review by the TEA Educator Investigations Division.”
This occurrence is one of many in Texas school districts.
Celina ISD bus monitor Timothy Adams was charged in January for indecency with a child by sexual contact, and improper relationship between educator and student, as Texas Scorecard reported.
Jacob Allred, a former teacher at Great Lakes Academy in Plano, was arrested for child grooming in January 2024, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. A 15-year-old student had accused him of grooming and inappropriate advances.