High School Yearbook Accidentally Publishes Pic of Students Engaged in Sex Act

Yearbooks are supposed to capture special memories, but for one California school the definition of "special" has taken on an entirely new meaning.

Following the discovery of an illicit photograph in Big Bear High School's annual yearbook, students have been mandated to return their copies. An image present in the book has fueled child pornography fears, as a 17-year-old boy is pictured putting his hand under a 15-year-old's dress. Yahoo! News has more:

The candid photo, snapped at a dance, showed the couple in the background. School officials surmised the couple may have been involved in sex. The photo got past the yearbook adviser initially. The image, as one parent put it, "did not leap to the eye" as sexually explicit. Certainly, it didn't come across as pornography at first glance.

Since the Big Bear High School yearbook came out, the compromising photo was discovered. Students were told to return their yearbooks for either a sanitized version (sans offending photo) or a refund on the purchase price. Whether the photo is vague or unclear, the sheriff's department says it is deemed child pornography because it looks like two minor engaged in sex.

The Los Angeles Times explains the legal ramifications that the yearbooks could have for the district and for anyone who holds onto an original copy:

According to federal law, any visual depiction of a minor "engaging in sexually explicit conduct" can be considered child pornography. Because of this, officials warn, anyone who still has the photograph could face a criminal charge of possession of child pornography.

It seems the school district may need a few more chaperones on hand at next year's school dance (and maybe some extra eyes to vet yearbook photos prior to publication next go around).