child molestation news stories on Newser

FBI Targets New Suspect in Patz Case

Neal Colgrass — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 16:06:38 CDT

The FBI has a new suspect in the 33-year-old disappearance of Etan Patz: a wood shop owner who once used the SoHo basement where cops are now digging for Patz's body, the New York Post reports. Othniel Miller, a 75-year-old living in Brooklyn, fell under suspicion after his ex-wife recently...

4th-Graders Were Pen-Pals ... With Child Molester

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:02:01 CDT

Today's Terrible Teacher Award goes to Laura Perry, who set her class of fourth-graders up to be pen-pals with … a convicted child molester. Lawsuits have been filed and officials are investigating the situation at Houston's Trinity Lutheran Church and School after finding out students were corresponding with Rickey R....

Vanessa Williams: I Was Molested as a Child

Evann Gastaldo — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:59:05 CDT

In a new memoir, Vanessa Williams reveals that she was molested at just 10 years old by the daughter of a family friend. She relates the story in a People interview picked up by the Huffington Post and Radar . Williams saw 18-year-old Susan as the "epitome of cool," she says....

Old Psych Report Says Sandusky Was 'Likely Pedophile'

Neal Colgrass — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:55:05 CDT

Another fumble in Penn State's handling of the Jerry Sandusky case: Turns out a psychologist warned school police that Sandusky's behavior fit a "likely pedophile's pattern," but the warning was filed away and forgotten, MSNBC reports. “There was very little doubt in my mind [Sandusky] … was a male predator,...

Former Daughter-in-Law: Sandusky Touched My Son

Evann Gastaldo — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:58:05 CST

Jerry Sandusky was given the OK to see most of his grandchildren yesterday, and his former daughter-in-law isn't happy about it. Sandusky "inappropriately touched my son," says Jill Thomas, adding that she thinks he was grooming the child for sex abuse. Sandusky still isn't allowed to see Thomas' three children,...

Why Miramonte Was the Perfect Stalking Ground

Evann Gastaldo — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:22:19 CST

As Martin Springer, one of the teachers charged in a Los Angeles school sex abuse scandal , was released on bail today , USA Today takes a look at Miramonte Elementary and why it may have been the perfect place for an abuser to prey on vulnerable, disadvantaged children. The school's 1,...

1 Accuser Recants Story in Miramonte Sex Abuse Case

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:06:12 CST

Two students initially accused Miramonte Elementary School teacher Martin Bernard Springer of fondling them, but one has since recanted her story, law enforcement sources tell the Los Angeles Times . Springer, one of two teachers accused of sexually abusing Miramonte students, was charged with three counts of committing lewd acts yesterday,...

3rd Miramonte Teacher Escorted Girls to Molester

Mary Papenfuss — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:55:53 CST

A third teacher has been implicated in the burgeoning child sex scandal at Miramonte Elementary School in Los Angeles. A lawyer said two victims were regularly escorted by a female teacher to the classroom of Mark Berndt, 61, who has been charged with 23 counts of lewd conduct, reports the...

LA School Replacing Entire Staff After Sex Raps

Rob Quinn — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:21:50 CST

The entire staff of a Los Angeles-area elementary school will be replaced while sexual abuse charges against two teachers are investigated. No one else at Miramonte Elementary School—which has been closed for two days —is suspected of abusing children, but a drastic change was needed in order to restore...