Blaine Teacher Accused Of Touching Student Gets $100K Bond
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Blaine teacher accused of touching a student inappropriately is allowed to leave jail. A judge granted bond late Thursday morning.
Kenneth Sonnenfeld has been teaching in Anoka schools for 24 years. He has had a clean record, according to the district.
He is now on leave. Authorities arrested him after a 10-year-old former student claimed he touched her while in class.
Over the past few days, Sonnenfeld's classroom has been a crime scene. Parents of students are also viewing it in a different way.
"My son did have him last year and he loved Mr. Sonnenfeld," said parent Christine Mueller. "He was a very active member in the community...and I think that other kids really wanted to have him in the coming years."
She called the accusations against the teacher shocking.
The former student says Sonnenfeld touched her several times as she stood at his desk getting help with math problems.
Mueller, whose son now attends another school, says it prompted a tough conversation at her home.
"Trying to break down [what happened] in a way that a child can understand, it's difficult," she said.
On Thursday, Sonnenefeld stood in court as a judge granted him $100,000 bond if he stays away from the accuser and is only around kids if supervised.
She also granted an unconditional bond for $500,000.
Sonnenfeld's attorney declined to make any public comment but while in court he emphasized that Sonnenfeld is a father of two, he's been in the community there all his life, and he's only ever faced this one allegation.
"I feel bad for the victim's side and for Mr. Sonnenfeld and his family," Mueller said. "I hope that the justice system can do its job and figure out really what happened."
The next step for Sonnenfeld will be another hearing in April.
