MyFox
 

Deb's thoughts

by dwheeler6201 from South St. Louis

Last Post 27 days, 20 hours Ago


Principal guilty of not reporting child abuse.
Sep 27, 2008 | 7:29 AM
Category: News
Report This Post

St. Louis, Mo. (The Weekly Vice) -- John A. Bender, a 61 year old computer teacher at Gateway Elementary School in St. Louis has been arrested for Statutory Sodomy and Child Molestation amid allegations that he sexually assaulted a student in a school closet near his classroom. According to authorities, Bender had inappropriate physical contact with a then - 12 year old female student who attended the school. Police say Bender's alleged activities occurred back in September of 2007. Police first became aware of the alleged behavior when the child reported the incident to authorities. But that's not where the case ends. Police have also charged Richard Sirna, the school's principal, in the case. He faces one charge for failing to report the matter to proper authorities. School officials who receive information about suspected abuse or neglect are required by law to report the information to social services. According to police, the alleged activity was reported to Sirna, who allegedly did nothing. Bender has been placed on paid suspension since the district learned of the allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior last November, said district spokeswoman Deborah Sistrunk. Bender has been ordered held on 100,000 bond, pending his next hearing. The principal is expected to appear in court for his next hearing on May 15th.

Update:

Richard Sirna, 60, of Florissant was found guilty in St. Louis Circuit Court on charges of failure to report child abuse or neglect by a school official. 

According to court records the child was 10, not 12 as first reported and John Bender is charged with first-degree statutory sodomy and felony child molestation.


I know both these men, my sister dated John Bender and I am ashamed to say she is the reason for his divorce.  Sirna and John are best friends which is why, I believe,  he did not report this. 

I looked everywhere on this site and did not see this story, I do not understand why. 

What would you do?  Would you report your friend?

Richard Sirna was wrong as far as I am concerned, not only because he is a mandated reporter, but because a young girl was involved in this.  It doesn't matter if it is true or not, it should have been reported and investigated.  Are there any other children?  What about other teachers?  I know for a fact that Richard Sirna allowed certain teachers to get away with things that other schools or the school system itself did not allow.  My sister taught there for about 6 years, and was part of this  "in" crowd.

What do you think?
11 Comments |  Add a Comment

Member Comments Total Comments: 11
Page 1 of 1
mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Sep 27, 2008 | 4:27 PM

We had a similar situation out this way years back... All of the guilty parties were terminated.......
tagalong68 read my blog
Sep 27, 2008 | 10:20 PM

A child is a defensless victim! They cannot protect themselves and if the school doesn't do its job the child is 'fair game' for every pervert out there! I'm sorry your sister is involved in this garbage, but that just says she is no better than the molesters! First, you have to be sick to molest a child! Next, to hide it is as criminal as the act itself! The men should be castrated and sent packing! The woman? She should be sterlized and blackballed from all school districts as well as the men! There is absolutely no excuse for this behavior! None, and no explanation, to me pleading 'illness' doesn't cut it! They are warped, sick, mentally disturbed to be attracted to a child in a sexual way at any age! Hows about banning them to a desert island? And then forget about them!! From now on the molesters will have to report in to the cops! That is a positive, and have their pictures posted, along with their names and addresses, on the Internet for all to see!!
dwheeler6201 read my blog view my photos
Sep 28, 2008 | 6:25 AM

My sister isn't involved, she hasn't taught there for about 3 years now. It's just that this was such a tight group and Sirna allowed certain teachers to do things that the district would not have allowed. Richard Sirna and John Bender were as close as brothers and I know this is why he didn't do anything about this allegation. I don't know if John Bender is guilty or not, but honestly, I don't think a 10 yr old would lie about something like that. The point is - when it came to Richard Sirna's attention, he should have reported it.
dwheeler6201 read my blog view my photos
Sep 28, 2008 | 6:26 AM

My sister teaches in Branson Mo now. She isn't even in the school system here.
tagalong68 read my blog
Sep 28, 2008 | 8:09 AM

Well, I happy moved out of that situation,however, if she knew about what had happened and didn't report it I stand by my comment that she is just as culpable as the other one covering up the problem of this persons sickness in huring children. I just read you bio - you still live in S. STL? I lived there until 3.5 years ago because an insane, hateful, vicious, dispicable person moved next door - and then the crime in the area because of all the negative trash that moved in, increased 10 fold! It became just too dangerous. I lived just West of Grand, and North of Gravois. You could walk to the Schuucks at that corner from my house, and I'm SO sorry to hear about your son. That is the hardest thing in the world to get through! I lost a son, too, but from the negligence of a doctor at STL Univ. Hospital on Grand! So, I've been there, and again, I'm sorry you had to suffer that crushing experience in your life. It is too difficult for words.
tagalong68 read my blog
Sep 28, 2008 | 8:12 AM

I just read my first sentence and I don't know what happened but I think I just had a brain malfunction!!! "I meant, I'm happy your sister moved out of that situation".......
dwheeler6201 read my blog view my photos
Sep 28, 2008 | 8:33 AM

I am too! As far as I know she knew nothing about this, she is married now and teaching in Branson as I said. But your are right, if anyone knew and didn't report it, to me that's almost worse than what he did. I'm not sure how much contact she has with any of them now. She might talk to one or two of the teachers, I don't know. I do know she hasn't had any contact with John in quite a few years. He has two grown sons, I feel very sorry for them.

I live just east of Kingshighway, near Uncle Bill's. I am very lucky, it is nice and quite here, even when I listen to the police scanner the only thing going on south of Chippewa is an accident or maybe a domestic squabble.

I am very sorry about your son. You are right, there are no words to describe it. I can only say with a mother's heart that I am so sorry.
dwheeler6201 read my blog view my photos
Sep 28, 2008 | 8:34 AM

I am too! As far as I know she knew nothing about this, she is married now and teaching in Branson as I said. But your are right, if anyone knew and didn't report it, to me that's almost worse than what he did. I'm not sure how much contact she has with any of them now. She might talk to one or two of the teachers, I don't know. I do know she hasn't had any contact with John in quite a few years. He has two grown sons, I feel very sorry for them.

I live just east of Kingshighway, near Uncle Bill's. I am very lucky, it is nice and quite here, even when I listen to the police scanner the only thing going on south of Chippewa is an accident or maybe a domestic squabble.

I am very sorry about your son. You are right, there are no words to describe it. I can only say with a mother's heart that I am so sorry.
AMOM read my blog
Sep 28, 2008 | 9:51 AM

I think it is going on in most schools. If the teacher does not go along with the higher-ups, out the door she goes.

The voucher system has to be the next step.
I wish some other teachers would blog on here and really let you know what goes on inside schools.

You will be so shocked. YOUR CHILDREN are there.
tagalong68 read my blog
Sep 28, 2008 | 10:20 AM

In my opinion most teachers should be fired and we start all over again. They are producing some of the most ignorant people this USA has ever seen. They cannot think, they can't read or spell, they can't do any math, even with a calculator! It is truly appalling, and all the teachers do is grip about their wages! I'll say this - I would LOVE to make what teachers make! I'd live like a queen in comparison to the income I make now! What do they want for 9 months work a year? I work my buns off doing slave labor for attorneys at a pittance compared to what teachers are paid, PLUS all their benefits and retirements. We get none of those things!! What do you think they would do if they had to survive like the rest of us? And, the produce dumb kids now!!! No pride in their work, no pride in teaching anymore! Put your time in, get paid, go home and wait until retirement!!! What a life!!!!!!
tagalong68 read my blog
Sep 28, 2008 | 10:22 AM

Plus, when a sexual preditor is around, for some reason people protect them! Why? Don't they realize the seriousness of that crime? And, that a child is scared for the rest of their lives? Are people that stupid, too? Teachers aren't going to admit what actually goes on!! They want everyone to think they walk on water, but I'd take a bet they would sink!!!
Page 1 of 1


Write your comment below:




dwheeler6201

The last couple of months I have come to realize how blessed I am. I recently received a promotion at work, our company is for some strange reason, flourishing in this economical crisis, I received good news on the results of my MRI. I have been having strange headaches which they have now decided are Occipital Migraines. I really am blessed, I am in good health, my children and grandchildren are in good health, I have a job (these days that is the best blessing), a home, good friends, and food to eat. I am thankful for all these blessings. I am not trying to sound like I am bragging, I am truly thankful!

Member Since: 6/23/2008


 

View All Photos


RSS: XMLWhat is RSS?