Updated

The University of Iowa says that a teaching assistant for a math class sent an email with files depicting inappropriate sexual content to her students by accident.

University spokesman Tom Moore said the teaching assistant inadvertently included the files Tuesday night as attachments to an email sent to students.

Moore said the assistant "regrets her actions" and the school is asking students who received the message to delete it and not share the files with anyone.

Moore said university officials are investigating details of what he called an unfortunate incident, including how many students received the email. He said the school would "take appropriate actions under our policies and procedures."

He said the employee could not be identified due to federal privacy laws.