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Tarzana Teacher Arrested on Multiple Child Molestation Charges is Free on Bail
A man teaching at Portola Middle School in Tarzana was arrested last week on charges of multiple instances of child molestation that allegedly occurred last decade, according to LAPD.
The suspect, 39-year-old Sean Wellbaum of Canoga Park, is now free on $600,000 bail. The victim, now a 22-year-old man, told investigators that Wellbaum molested him repeatedly between the ages of 11 and 16, when Wellbaum was a teacher at Columbus Middle School in Canoga Park.
Wellbaum was placed on paid leave Tuesday and reassigned to an LAUSD administrative role following the arrest, according to an LAUSD spokesman. Students at Portola, a Highly Gifted Magnet Middle School, were expected to receive a note for their parents explaining the issue today.
Police are asking anyone who may have been victimized by Wellbaum to contact Topanga Area Detectives, Detective Nick Abbinanti at (818) 756-4800.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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