VALDESE, N.C. — Michael Daigler, a 62-year-old former second-grade teacher at Burke County Public Schools, was arrested in Caldwell County on charges of disseminating obscene material to a minor under the age of 15, the Valdese Police Department announced on Tuesday.
After executing a search warrant at Daigler’s home, he was taken into custody after a monthslong investigation on Tuesday morning and charged with disseminating obscene material to a minor.
BCPS is cooperating with the investigation.
Daigler has been with BCPS since March 11, 2015, with his last assignment as a teacher at Valdese Elementary School under a 10-month contract, district officials said.
Jamie Sutherland, whose child was in Daigler’s class, said she and other parents were never contacted about the allegations.
“This is how we are finding out about the situation,” Sutherland told Channel 9’s Dave Faherty. “And that is my child’s teacher. And they still haven’t let us know a single thing.”
The Valdese Police Department received notifications from parents in the Valdese community in November 2025 about the alleged dissemination of obscene materials to minors involving Daigler.
A mother reported her concerns to authorities after her 13-year-old son interacted with Daigler on Snapchat telling him he was 15,” according to court documents. Daigler sent an inappropriate photo on a Discord account later confessing to police that he communicated with 50 kids or teens to obtain child sexual abuse material.
Following the report, the police department reached out to the North Carolina Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and initiated a joint investigation. He was eventually arrested.
BCPS officials said they suspended Daigler with pay pending investigation on Nov. 17, 2025. The district later suspended him without pay on Dec. 17, 2025. His salary before suspension without pay was $5,116 per month.
District officials said thier internal investigation found the victims were not his students and the alleged incidents did not occur on school grounds.
A parent of a second grader, who asked not to be identified, wished the school district had been more open.
“They’re just really dropping the ball,” the parent said. “We have kids in those classes that we really need to talk to ensure their safety.”
Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan recommended Daigler for termination, which will go before the Burke County Board of Education at its next regular meeting on Jan. 26.
“Our priority is the wellbeing and safety of our students, and we are prepared to provide support for students and staff as needed,” Swan said. “We have conducted our own internal investigation into this matter and continue to fully support law enforcement in their investigation.”
Faherty asked the district why they didn’t send out a notice months ago and they told us it was because it was an ongoing investigation.
Daigler was processed at the Burke County Magistrate’s Office before being placed in the custody of the Burke County Jail under a secure bond of $500,000.
The investigation is ongoing and no further details have been released at this time.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.
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