BLAINE, Minn. - An elementary school teacher is charged with criminal sexual conduct after being accused of molesting a child while she sought help with her studies.
Prosecutors say 52-year-old Kenneth Lee Sonnenfeld, a fourth grade teacher at Johnsville Elementary School in Blaine, touched the genitals of the 9-year-old female student on several occasions from December of 2014 through the spring of 2015. The child said during a forensic interview that Sonnenfeld would touch her as she stood next to his desk while he helped her with math and science problems.
The girl told authorities she stopped going to Sonnenfeld for help so he would stop touching her. She decided to come forward with what happened so "her chest and stomach wouldn't hurt anymore."
Officials with the Anoka-Hennepin School District released a statement, saying Sonnenfeld is on administrative leave.
"The district immediately reported this complaint to law enforcement and appropriate agencies, and they’re currently investigating it. The district will also conduct an investigation and action may be taken as a result of those findings," the statement reads.
Sonnenfeld was arrested Tuesday night shortly before 7 p.m. He is charged with a felony count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and If convicted faces up to 25 years in prison.
Parents learned of the allegations Wednesday after school officials notified them.
“It’s horrible,” said parent Tony Rosandich. “I thought it was just horrible.”
Parents who waited for their children to leave school Wednesday afternoon said they did not know much about Sonnenfeld but would now talk to their children about him.
“We’re just trying to digest it and I have a son. I want to talk to him, obviously to see if he’s ever had any interaction with this teacher,” said parent Linda Helm Perez.
Sonnenfeld is in the Anoka County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office. He is expected to make his first court appearance Thursday. No one answered his phone number or the door of his home Wednesday afternoon for comment.
A neighbor told KARE 11 he’s known Sonnenfeld for several years and did not believe the allegations.