Judge Delays Closure of School That Was Target of Molestation Allegations
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge Thursday stayed a state Department of Social Services decision to temporarily close the Peninsula Montessori School in Torrance because of allegations of child molestation.
Judge Irving Shimer stayed the suspension until a Sept. 20 hearing and ordered school owner Claudia Krikorian to supply each student’s parents with a copy of accusations made against the school, which include allegations that teacher John W. Banta sexually molested four students between February, 1983, and March, 1985.
Deputy Atty. Gen. Richard Spector said Banta has not been criminally charged or arrested but was accused of molestation in an administrative proceeding.
Krikorian’s attorney, David L. Allen, said Banta will be on a leave of absence pending a Sept. 23 administrative hearing. “I think the judge was impressed with the fact that we voluntarily agreed to remove Mr. Banta from the classroom although we believe there was no wrongdoing,” Allen said.
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