A TEACHER is being investigated over claims he gave flutes contaminated with sperm to schoolchildren.

Potentially thousands of soiled instruments may have been sent to kids as part of a global music programme.

2 Flutes were sent to children to paint before they were sent on to needy kids across the world Credit: NBC4

The unnamed teacher has been arrested and is being questioned amid wider allegations of sexual misconduct.

Authorities in California say the flutes, which are painted by US pupils before being sent to needy children across the world, could have ended up in as many as 13 districts across the south of the state.

Letters sent home to parents said the teacher, described as an "independent contractor", led the Flutes Across The World programme for fifth grade children aged 10 to 11.

Superintendent Mark Johnson, the head of Fountain Valley School District, said the instruments "were potentially contaminated with bodily fluids" and called on parents to hand them in to police.

"You have to read in between the lines, and most likely it's not sweat," one parent said.

A dad in Los Angeles told NBC News: "It's disgusting, it's unreal, you can't even really fathom it. It makes me sick to my stomach".

2 Authorities say the instruments may be contaminated with 'bodily fluid' Credit: Reuters

"I think there's something really sick going on here", a parent in Fountain Valley district said.

The California Department of Justice is leading the statewide investigation.

“As part of the investigation, we are working with local law enforcement and school districts to collect instruments, for the California Department of Justice to process,” a spokesman said.

A statement from the US Postal Service, which was used to send the flutes, said that "protecting children from crimes of sexual abuse and exploitation is a priority."

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