An investigation is underway to find out how a smoke detector with a camera in it made its way into a faculty restroom in a Kentucky high school. 

Corbin Police Detective Rusty Hedrick said officers responded to Corbin High School on Jan. 5 after the smoke detector was discovered. Although schools do install smoke detectors, Corbin Superintendent Ed McNeel said he is not aware of this particular smoke detector being installed.

According to Hedrick, the smoke detector was manufactured with a camera inside it and was positioned on a restroom wall in such a way that the camera was pointed toward staff members.

“We’ve had report of some staff seeing it in there up to three or four days before they contacted us,” Hedrick said.

“It’s something that we have been really shocked about happening,” McNeel said. “We’re supporting law enforcement in any way that we can and hopefully we can find the individual who put it there.”

Currently, police and district officials are unsure how the smoke detector got into the restroom.

McNeel said school security footage surrounding the restroom has been reviewed and turned over to police.

After finding the smoke detector with the camera, police conducted walkthroughs to search for any smoke detectors placed in a similar fashion. None were found.

The smoke detector was sent to the Kentucky State Police crime lab for analysis.

If the smoke detector and camera was used for inappropriate purposes, Hedrick said those responsible would face voyeurism charges.

Smith writes for the Times-Tribune in Corbin, Kentucky.