Santa Monica employee accused of taking inappropriate photos of kids

A part-time employee with the city of Santa Monica has been put on leave and could face misdemeanor charges for allegedly taking inappropriate photos of children while chaperoning a field trip to Dodger Stadium.

Donald Condon, 55, was arrested May 30 on suspicion of child annoyance, a misdemeanor, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He allegedly took photos of the minors while chaperoning the field trip for the Santa Monica Police Activities League.

He was placed on administrative leave last week, according to a statement from police.

Condon has worked for the city for about 20 years, most recently as a part-time community services program specialist. He oversaw activities for kids ages 13 to 17, including a youth leadership council and a running program, police said.

“The city takes this situation very seriously and is cooperating with the Los Angeles authorities,” Santa Monica police Lt. Jay Moroso wrote in the statement. “The city took immediate action to inform the families of those youth who participated in the outing and will continue to take steps to ensure the well-being of the youth.”

According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department inmate booking website, Condon was released on $20,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court June 25.

Follow @msrikris for more breaking news from Los Angeles and throughout California.