CASTLE ROCK - Police are trying to determine how many nude photos of Castle Rock Middle School students were taken by students and distributed by cell phones to other students this week.

"Our main concern is to educate the kids and stop it from going further out," said Castle Rock police Lt. Douglas Ernst.

"We have tracked one image that went out over the Internet to California."

So far, investigators have determined that four female and two male Castle Rock Middle School students, between the ages of 13 and 14, have taken nude or partially clothed photos of themselves using cell phones. At least 20 students either have knowledge of, or have seen, the photos.

The investigation began this week after a Castle Rock Middle School student reported seeing one of the photos to a counselor.

"We started hearing about some pictures being passed around on cell phones and confirmed it on Monday," said Whei Wong, spokeswoman for the Douglas County School District. "A student came forward to say they had seen one of the images. The school leaders got a hold of the phone and confirmed that it was indeed happening."

Police were called Monday to investigate, and the school notified parents Wednesday.

"We're encouraging parents to check for inappropriate images," Wong said.

She said she did not know how many students at Castle Rock Middle School have or use cell phones but that most schools in the district do not allow cell phones to be used during the school day.

As of Thursday, 16 cell phones had been confiscated by the school and turned over to the police as part of the investigation.

A home computer also was seized by police after it was learned that one student had e-mailed one of the photos to another student in California.

"We have contacted the California authorities to contact the person who received the image," Ernst said.

He said it is too early in the investigation to know whether any charges will be filed against the students.

"The people in the photos are considered victims," he said. "We need to find out what the intent was in sending or receiving the photos."

Investigators have determined that all the students had taken the photos themselves.

Wong said the district would take appropriate action with the students once the investigation is completed.

fongt@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5489