‘Somebody Messed Up’
It seems clear from The Times report on the Bartholome case that numerous school officials knew for several years that this teacher was at least a potential child molester. What is not clear is why the one administrator, Stuart Bernstein, who removed Bartholome from the schools, was singled out for prosecution.
It is ironic that Bernstein was accused and convicted of delaying his report by two weeks when mental health professionals throughout the community are facing civil suits for “inadequate evaluation” or slander when they report suspected child abusers.
Our children’s physical and mental well-being must be the most important consideration of every single person who is responsible for their welfare. We expect no less. However, in the effort to deal with what became an embarrassing situation--the continued employment of this teacher by the school district for years after suspicions were aroused--the Los Angeles Unified School District has made a scapegoat out of Stuart Bernstein.
MARILYN DIAMOND
MARV DIAMOND
Malibu
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