Angry parents in suburban New Jersey are calling for the resignation of a local politician’s ex-husband — a notorious children’s magician — following his recent arrest on child pornography charges.
Scott Morley, former owner of Morley’s Magic Theatre in Butler, was arrested May 15 on charges of possession of child sexual abuse images and endangering the welfare of a child.
Police recovered disturbing images from his computer and found young girls’ underwear at his home.
The 48-year-old was better known as “Magician Molly,” who hosted parties for children throughout the tri-state area.
He and his soon-to-be ex-wife have 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 Theatre welcomed children in for screenings of Christmas movies with Mr. and Mrs. Morley playing the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Since his arrest, Morley has deleted his social media pages and website.
Morley’s estranged wife, Brittney Morley, serves as Butler’s ward councillor.
She has not been charged with any crime, but seven Butler parents, who spoke to The Washington Post on the condition of anonymity, accuse her of knowing about her ex-husband’s crimes and have called for her to resign.
The Morleys have two young daughters. All four performed as actors. Until the end of last year.
The couple separated in February, and Britney filed for divorce in March.
According to an arrest affidavit, a alleged witness came forward in April.
He was commissioned to paint the theatre inside Morley’s Magic Shop, completing the job in 2022.
At one point during the renovation, workers allegedly stumbled upon a bag containing underwear and several USB flash drives.
According to a law enforcement affidavit, when an alleged witness confronted Morley about his gruesome discovery, the magician began smashing the USB drive with a hammer.
The affidavit does not say why the accuser waited so long to come forward.
Some of Butler’s people Britney knew what was going on long before she was arrested.
The councilman’s father, Walter Orcutt, is also a local politician and serves as Blairstown’s deputy mayor.
Britni Morley’s divorce lawyer, Andrew Delaney, said his client had cooperated fully with the investigation into her husband.
“Any suggestion of wrongdoing on her part is baseless, offensive and ultimately subversive of the criminal justice process,” he said. “We seek to finalize the divorce so that our client can focus on raising her two children and providing for them financially and emotionally.”
The next Butler City Council meeting on June 18 is expected to feature a large number of parents calling for Brittney Morley’s resignation.
“Our kids were in a drop-off program and we were tricked by Britney and put our children on a plate because of Scott’s delusions,” another mother told The Post. “I am disgusted, appalled, saddened and angry. It was only because of his wife that I was able to leave my daughter and son in their care.”
“He should be in jail because he knew about it along with his wife,” Parent added.
Another mother said the Butler community wants an explanation, including whether Magician had photos of their children.
“She still serves on the city council and has visitation rights with her children,” the mother said. “I don’t understand why she hasn’t been charged.”
“Learning about Scott and his sick secret was heartbreaking,” his mother, Candida Santee, told The Washington Post. “I think many of us are very upset by Britney and Scott’s behavior and lack of empathy for the family.”
Prosecutors said the investigation into Scott Morley began recently “after the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received an anonymous tip.”
Morley told police he had “approximately 50 suspicious images” on his phone but “several more” on another device, according to the affidavit.
When questioned about the images, he told officers he “preferred the younger ones.”
According to the affidavit, the defendant allegedly admitted to using the underwear and the illicit images for self-gratification.
After his arrest, Morley also allegedly told investigators that he had been collecting child pornography since 1996.
He was released without bail.
He is banned from using the internet and cannot have any contact with minors.
Morley did not respond to a request for comment.
“My client maintains his innocence and we are pleased that the court deemed it appropriate to release him over the prosecutor’s objections,” his lawyer, Robert Bianchi, said.
Many of the parents who spoke to The Washington Post claim they have tried to contact Butler Mayor Ryan Martinez through his personal Facebook page, phone calls and text messages to ask if Morley plans to resign.
They claim he responded by blocking them.
“There seems to be a huge effort to silence the parents and protect Britney,” one parent, who spoke anonymously, claimed.
Martinez, an attorney, appointed Scott Morley to the borough’s economic development committee in February 2023.
He allegedly introduced Britney Mowry to her divorce lawyer.
He did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment.
Butler Borough President Jim Lampman told the Post, “Like all borough officials, the mayor understands and sympathizes with the concern and outrage these allegations have generated. This matter is being handled by the appropriate authorities and they, not Facebook, must be the source of information to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect the victims, their families and all those involved in this matter.”
