After recently hearing of the sexual abuse allegations leveled at a former elementary school teacher, victims are continuing to come forward. Mark Berndt, who has already been arrested on 23 separate counts of child sexual abuse, has been accused of similar lewd acts by several subsequent victims. Five more children, along with their families, have contacted officials since details of the case went public. Each of the new victims claim to have been a target of Berndt’s lewd and salacious acts.
At the age of 61, Berndt is a former school teacher who worked at Miramonte Elementary School in South L.A. for approximately three decades. However, the school district in which he was associated with has no desire to recollect him ever having worked there. The culmination of a year-long investigation revealed 23 individual counts of sexual abuse with former students. Subsequently, Berndt now faces charges for each count of sexual misconduct that he may have committed with a minor.
Allegations suggest that Berndt would tie up his victims against their will, while simultaneously placing giant cockroaches on their faces and spoon feeding them his own semen. Subsequently, Berndt would tell the victims that they were playing a “tasting game,” in which he used a blue plastic spoon to feed children a white substance that DNA tests later revealed to be his semen. The students were told to tell Berndt whether the substance tasted salty or sweet, authorities said. Incriminating photos, along with DNA samples, have been discovered on school grounds and at Berndt’s home.
The sexual abuse lawsuit he is currently facing has a total of 23 counts of sexual abuse. However, five more individual account may be added if the most recent allegations are verified. As of now, Berndt is expected in court today for arraignment on 23 counts of lewd acts against children. His bail is also being held at $2.3 million. However, consequences for his actions may rise if the recent allegations are true.
Due to the potential influx of allegations against Berndt, former California State Senator and attorney Martha Escutia has called for authorities to conduct a moreintensive investigation. Subsequently, Escutia wants to instate stricter laws that promote child sexual abuse reporting.
Escutia, who has previously represented the area around Miramonte Elementary School while she was in the California Assembly, has long-been a proponent of stricter laws against sexual predators and an advocate for victims rights. Currently working as an attorney for The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP, Escutia frequently represents abuse victims and their families. “We cannot tolerate sexual abuse of our children in the very institutions we count on to protect them,” said Escutia
Do I Have a Sexual Abuse Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in sexual abuse lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of sexual abuse, you may be entitled to financial compensation. For a free case review, please click the link below or call toll free 24 hrs/day 1-(949) 557-5800.