“Deplorable,” “disturbing” and “confusing” was how Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi described the allegations against 27-year-old Somerville resident and former Somerville elementary school teacher Josh Wairi, who was arrested on child pornography charges at his Beacon Street apartment April 17.

Wairi, a fifth-grade teacher in Cambridge at the time of his arrest, allegedly admitted to police that in addition to possessing and sharing child pornography with others online, he had secretly videotaped children in a locker room changing in and out of clothes with his cellphone camera. Where that videotaping took place is not clear.

He is being held without bail pending a detention and probable cause hearing in federal court in Boston Wednesday, April 27. According to police, authorities were made aware of Wairi’s alleged activities through an online tip.

Curtatone and Pierantozzi, along with Police Chief Charles Femino and Trauma Response Network Manage Patty Contente, held a press conference Friday morning at the Public Safety Building to answer what questions they could and to let the public know about resources available to parents and children.

“We are angered. We are heartbroken,” Curtatone said, “This is the most egregious breach of trust imaginable.”

While having limited information available, Curtatone said the city, in addition to a forum for parents held late Friday morning at the East Somerville Community School, would be holding more forums and sessions for residents, including one at the ESCS cafeteria from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 19, during which school officials and counselors will be on hand. An additional forum will be held after April vacation week.

“Right now, our most important job is to provide any and all support,” Curtatone said.

According to Pierantozzi, Wairi was a student teacher at the John F. Kennedy School during the 2008-2009 school year. He worked at the Arthur D. Healy School as a fifth- and sixth-grade teacher from 2009 to 2012. He resigned from that position to take the teaching position in Cambridge. He was also an intern assistant in 2004 at the Argenziano School (when it was called the Lincoln School).

Pierantozzi said Wairi, like every other school hire, was subject to a criminal background check.

“There were absolutely no reasons to indicate there should be a concern about the trust put in this individual when he was hired,” he said.

The superintendent emphasized that it was not known where Wairi allegedly videotaped the children. He did say, however, that it is standard procedure to have more than one adults present in any situation where a child may be exposed, whether in situations where severely disabled children need changing or anywhere else clothing changes might occur, such as in the locker room at the Kennedy School pool . He said he would offer as much assistance in the investigation as he could.

“For an individual who made an oath to take care of our children to do something like this is beyond comprehension,” he said. “There is great concern and many questions. I, as superintendent of schools, guarantee we will take all appropriate actions.”

Femino could not say whether any parents had contacted the police department with any information regarding Wairi’s time in the Somerville school system. He said whatever calls may have or will be received will be logged, categorized and forward to the U.S. attorney’s office.

“This is an active investigation originating at the federal level,” he said, adding, “We are here as a resource.”

He also said there was no indication at this point to indicate Wairi had any interaction with the daycare center on the ground floor of his apartment building.

The Trauma Response Center’s Contente said parents should acknowledge their children may become aware of the story and have questions about it.

“The best strategy is to approach this straightforwardly,” she said “It’s best to meet them where they’re at,” in terms of their age.

If convicted, Wairi faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20 years of in prison, a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of a lifetime of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

Curtatone, noting he is the father of four boys, said he, too, wants answers.

“Allegations like this strike fear and doubt in our hearts,” he said. “We have, like you, so many questions today.”

Anyone with information, concerns or questions is asked to contact the office of U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz at 617-748-3274, the city’s constituent services number at 617-666-3311 or the Somerville Police Department at 617-625-1600.

Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case should call 617-748-3274.