ANOKA, Minn. - A Blaine elementary school teacher charged with criminal sexual conduct posted bail and was releaseed Thursday.
Kenneth Lee Sonnenfeld is accused of repeatedly touching the genitals of a 9-year-old student as she sought help in his Johnsville Elementary School classroom. A criminal complaint details how the student told authorities she stopped seeking help with her math and science lessons because she didn't want Sonnenfeld to touch her anymore, and prosecutors say she came forward with her allegations so "her chest and stomach wouldn't hurt anymore."
Sonnenfeld is scheduled to make his next court appearance in the case April 8.
Meanwhile, both the Anoka Hennepin School District and the Anoka County Attorney's office confirm that Sonnenfeld was investigated back in 1997 after two students came forward and complained about indecent touching. Prosecutors felt the case could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt, and no charges were ever filed in the case.
School officials confirm the 1997 investigation, but did not provide details due to data privacy policies. They did confirm that Sonnenfeld moved to a different school in Andover the following year.
The teacher is on administrative leave while the case moves forward.