Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Teacher Accused of Blindfolding Kids and Feeding Them His Semen Said it Was a "Tasting Game"
Photo of Mark Berndt courtesy of L.A. Sheriff's Department
()
Miramonte Elementary School teacher Mark Berndt, 61, has been arrested and his highly questionable teaching methods are under scrutiny following an extensive investigation into accusations he blindfolded students and had them tasting his semen fed to them by spoon.The Los Angeles Times reports that sources close to the case say Berndt explained to the children that they were being blindfolded as part of a "tasting game" and that the eye coverings were protection. The substance, thought by investigators to be the suspect's semen, was fed to the children, and Berndt instructed them to lick it off their lips.
More from the Times:
[The students] were supposed to say whether the substance was sweet or salty and whether they liked the taste. The blindfolds were necessary, Berndt allegedly said, "because he was going to put on bright lights to take the pictures and he didn't want to hurt their eyes."
Berndt was arrested at his home in Torrance on Monday after a nearly year-long investigation that began when a film processor turned over about 40 suspicious photos. The photos allegedly depicted kids who were blindfolded and had their mouths covered with tape in a school setting. In some of the photos, Berndt was posing with the children, either with his arm around them or his hand over their mouths.
Support for LAist comes from
A spoon found in the trash in Berndt's classroom was tested and determined to be semen containing Berndt's DNA.
"I hope this man spends the rest of his life in prison," said Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent John Deasy, who says the Berndt was not permitted back in the classroom after the LAUSD learned of the accusations, and was subsequently terminated by the Board at their next meeting.
Berndt is currently charged with 23 felony counts, and is being held on $2.3 million bail.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake. -
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
Best of LAist