Angry parents in a New Jersey suburb are calling on a local politician to step down following the recent arrest of her ex-husband — a disgraced children’s magician — on child porn charges.
Scott Morley, former proprietor of Morley’s Magic Theater in Butler, was arrested May 15 for possession of images of child sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child.
Police recovered the disturbing images from his computer and found a pair of girls’ underwear in his home.
The 48-year-old was best known as Morley the Magician, working children’s parties throughout the tri-state area.
He and his soon-to-be ex-wife also owned and operated Morley’s Magic Shop in Butler since 2014, offering after-school programs and magic and puppet-making workshops.
During the holidays, Morley’s Magic Theater welcomed children in for Christmas pictures — with the Morleys playing Mr. and Mrs. Claus.
Since the bust, Morley has made his social media pages and website disappear.
Morley’s estranged wife, Britni Morley, sits on Butler‘s borough council.
While she has not been charged with any crimes, seven Butler parents who spoke to The Post on condition of anonymity accused her of knowing about her ex-husband’s crimes and demand she steps down.
The Morleys share two young daughters, and all four performed as an act until late last year.
The couple separated in February and Britni filed for divorce in March.
An alleged witness came forward in April, according to an arrest affidavit.
He was hired to paint the theater inside Morley’s Magic Shop, and completed the job in 2022.
At some point during the renovation, the worker allegedly stumbled upon a bag containing the underwear and a number of USB flash drives.
The purported witness, authorities allege in the affidavit, confronted Morley about the horrific find, and the magician began smashing the thumb drives with a hammer.
The affidavit doesn’t mention why the accuser waited so long to come forward.
Some in Butler believe Britni knew what was going on well before his arrest.
The councilwoman’s father, Walter Orcutt, is also an area politician, serving as Blairstown’s deputy mayor.
Britni Morley’s divorce attorney, Andrew DeLaney, said his client cooperated fully with the investigation into her husband.
“Any suggestions of wrongdoing on her part are baseless, disgusting, and ultimately destructive to the criminal justice process,” he said. “We look to conclude the divorce so that my client can focus on raising her two children and providing for them financially and emotionally.”
Parents are expected to turn out in force for the next Butler council meeting on June 18 to demand Britni Morley’s resignation.
“My children attended the drop-off programs and we were deceived by Britni, who served our children up on a platter for Scott’s fantasies,” another mom told The Post. “I am disgusted, appalled, saddened, and angry. Only because of his wife did I trust them with my daughter and son.
“He needs to be put in jail along with his wife for knowing,” the parent added.
Another mother said the Butler community wants answers — including whether the magician had any pictures of their children.
“She is still sitting on the council, and she still has access to children,” the mom said. “I am not sure why she hasn’t been charged.”
“To find out about Scott and his sick secrets was gut wrenching,” mom Candida Santee said to The Post. “I think many of us are just so distraught over Britni and Scott’s actions and lack of empathy towards the families.”
Prosecutors said the probe into Scott Morley began recently, “when the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received an anonymous tip.”
The affidavit alleges Morley told cops he had “approximately 50 questionable images” on his phone, but several” more on different devices.
When questioned about the images, he told cops he “preferred the young ones.”
The affidavit claims he allegedly admitted using the underwear and the illegal images for self-gratification.
Morley also allegedly told investigators after his arrest he’d been collecting child porn since 1996.
He was released from custody without bail.
He’s prohibited from using the internet and cannot have any contact with minors.
Morley did not respond to requests for comment.
His attorney, Robert Bianchi, said his “client maintains his innocence, and we’re satisfied that the court saw fit to release him over the objections of the prosecutor.”
Many of the parents who spoke to The Post claim they’ve tried reaching out to Butler Mayor Ryan Martinez through his personal Facebook page as well as via calls and texts, asking if Morley plans to step down.
They allege he’s responded by blocking them.
“There seems to be a big effort to silence the parents, and protect Britni,” posited one of the anonymous parents.
Martinez, an attorney, appointed Scott Morley to the borough’s Economic Development Commission in February 2023.
He’s said to have referred Britni Morley to her divorce lawyer.
He didn’t return calls and emails seeking comment.
Butler’s borough administrator, Jim Lampmann, told The Post, “The Mayor, like all borough officials, certainly understands and shares the concerns and outrage these charges have generated. This matter is being addressed by the appropriate authorities and they, not Facebook, need to be the source for information and comment to prevent the dissemination of misinformation and protect the victims, families, and all involved in this matter.”
