Attorneys have filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified Public School system relating to the alleged molestation of 14 students at Miramonte Elementary School by former teacher Mark Berndt. Attorneys allege that principals and the school district ignored complaints from students for many years allowing the molestation of students by Berndt to continue.
The suit is the latest in a series of suits relating to the alleged sexual molestation of as many as 23 children by Berndt. This type of litigation is not unusual in cases of this type. This case illustrates the need for careful screening of applicants, proper supervision of school employees and appropriate policies which can help school employees identify sexual predators when they attempt to “groom” potential victims.