LAKE WALES, Fla. — A former substitute teacher in Lake Wales was arrested after police said she showed sexually explicit photos to students, many of which included herself.

Administrators at Park Avenue Private School reportedly contacted the Lake Wales Police Department on Nov. 7 and said they terminated Gayle Wessel, 60, for showing the material to her elementary students.

Authorities said an initial investigation, as well as subsequent interviews with the children, revealed that Wessel had hundreds of explicit images and videos on her phone and that there were “consistent accounts of the incidents.”

When detectives first contacted Wessel, they also reportedly saw her trying to delete nude photos from her device. 

On Tuesday, Wessel was arrested at a local motel. Police say she admitted to showing the inappropriate material and then acknowledged that she tried to destroy the evidence during the investigation.

She faces multiple charges, including showing obscene material to minors and tampering with evidence. Officials say Wessel has also been previously arrested for trespassing, battery, resisting arrest and criminal mischief.

“The Lake Wales Police Department remains committed to protecting the children of our community and holding individuals accountable that endanger their safety,” the agency said in a statement.

Anyone with more information on this case is encouraged to contact Detective Raines at the Lake Wales Police Department.