News Summary
Douglas Melvin MacAlpine, a teacher from Castle Heights Middle School in Rock Hill, has been rearrested on new charges of peeping Tom just days after his arrest for child exploitation. Investigators discovered inappropriate footage on his phone, raising serious concerns about safety in schools. The community is in shock, as MacAlpine’s previous arrest included charges related to the sexual exploitation of minors. Rock Hill Schools have placed him on administrative leave and are cooperating with law enforcement as investigations continue.
Rock Hill Teacher Faces New Charges After Previous Child Exploitation Arrest
In a shocking turn of events, residents of Rock Hill are grappling with the alarming news surrounding a teacher from Castle Heights Middle School. Douglas Melvin MacAlpine, 37, has been rearrested and is now facing charges for being a peeping Tom, just days after his first arrest related to child exploitation.
Details of the New Arrest
On April 9, 2025, investigators found something deeply troubling on MacAlpine’s phone—a video of a female staff member taken without her consent while she was present at school. The video appears to have recorded her legs under a table during April 2024, raising serious concerns about privacy and safety in what is supposed to be a nurturing educational environment. According to the warrant, the act was committed with the intent of sexually gratifying himself, a wicked twist to a place where students and staff alike should feel safe from such violations.
The Previous Arrest
Just a week earlier, on March 31, 2025, MacAlpine had already found himself in hot water with the law after being arrested on multiple charges—all related to the sexual exploitation of minors. He faced five counts of second-degree sexual exploitation after disturbing digital files surfaced on his account. Though investigators confirmed none of the files involved students from the Rock Hill district, they still showed child sexual abuse material, leaving the community in shock, especially since some of the images involved children as young as 9 years old.
Current Status of MacAlpine
After his first arrest, MacAlpine was released on a $25,000 bail, leading many to breathe a sigh of relief; however, the joy was short-lived. The new peeping charge brought him back into custody. As it stands, MacAlpine remains in the York County jail after his most recent arrest. The peeping tom charge, a misdemeanor, can carry up to three years in prison if he is found guilty—a sentence many residents hope will serve as a wake-up call and a deterrent for others.
The School’s Response
In light of these troubling revelations, Rock Hill Schools has moved quickly. Following MacAlpine’s initial arrest, he was placed on administrative leave which has left many parents concerned about their children’s safety. The school district has been reassuring the community, emphasizing that no students are involved in either of the alleged crimes. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining high professionalism and ethical standards among employees. The administration has also stated that they are cooperating fully with law enforcement as the investigations unfold.
A Wider Conversation
The disturbing nature of these allegations has sparked conversations around the safety protocols in schools, particularly how educators are vetted and monitored. With the emphasis on student safety, parents are calling for more stringent checks and balances to prevent anything like this from happening again. The emotional toll on both staff and students cannot be understated, as such breaches of trust shake the very foundation of a learning environment.
What’s Next?
As of the latest updates, there have been no further details on the outcomes of MacAlpine’s court appearances. The community remains in suspense, waiting to see how the legal system will handle this case that has shaken their trust. As investigations continue and more information emerges, one thing is clear: Rock Hill is hoping for answers and restoration of safety in their schools.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Rock Hill School Teacher Arrested on Serious Charges
Rock Hill School Community in Shock After Teacher Arrested
Rock Hill School Community Reels from Teacher’s Arrest
Rock Hill School Community Shaken by Teacher’s Arrest
Rock Hill Teacher Arrested on Sexual Exploitation Charges
Additional Resources
- WCNC
- Wikipedia: Child Exploitation
- WBTV
- Google Search: teacher arrested Rock Hill 2025
- WSOC TV
- Google Scholar: teacher child sexual exploitation
- Herald Online
- Encyclopedia Britannica: child exploitation
- WCCB Charlotte
- Google News: Rock Hill teacher charges
