(07/16/08 - Initial BBT Report)
Michael Berchtold , 32, a third-grade teacher at Joseph Widmer Jr. Elementary School in Lathrop, California has turned himself in and been arrested on two counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and three counts of annoying or molesting a child.
There are three alleged victims, females ages 8 and 9, who were enrolled at the school at the time of the alleged incidents.
Investigators with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department say the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.
References:
3rd Grade Teacher Accused Of Molesting Students (07/16/08)
Lathrop Teacher Facing Child Sex Allegations (07/16/08)
Local Teacher Charged With Lewd Contact (07/16/08)
Your IP Address is:
64.172.142.151
Entries (RSS)
September 10th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
I have spent time going through and reading all the entries that have been made since Mike was arrested. I do say that I am amazed at the hostility and phrases that need to be removed due to foul language from those that are against Mike. I have always told my kids that when you use bad language, it tells me you are not smart enough to use appropriate educated words to describe how you feel.
I do understand that you are supporting the girls because you know them. You have that right. At the same time, we have the right to support Mike. Just remember, innocent until proven guilty. The courts will decide that matter. Until then, I fully support Mike.
I have had two kids have him for a teacher. I have spent hours working in his classroom and around the school. I have never at any time felt that he did anything but be respectful and kind to each and every student. My husband’s family has know Mike since he was a baby. So I also see Mike away from school. My mother-in-law sees him at church every Sunday.
Mike is alway gracious and caring, and is always willing to lend a helping hand, be it a young child, adult or senior citizen. He is a soft spoken, gentle man who would never harm anything or anyone.
He is also a law abiding citizen, so yes, when he heard about a warrent for his arrest, he went and turned himself in. Would you do the same thing if you were innocent?
I was at the school helping out with field days the last couple of days of school. I do know that there was alot of upset kids, and they were taking it out on the teachers. Orders from the Administration cancelled alot of the activities the students were suppose to do because of the fires and bad air quality. Of course, the teachers were the ones to take the blame. I, myself, had to tell my son he owed his teacher an appoligy for his giving his teacher a bad time about it all. Could these girls also have been upset and angry and taking it out on their teacher, Mr. “B”? I don’t know, but it does make me question, why on the last day did these 3 girls make these accusations.
The investigation is on going. I do not believe there will be any evidence to collaborate what these 3 girls have said happened. I’ve been on a child pornography case before as a jurer and I know that one goes with the other. If they only have the word of these 3 girls, that this happened in the classroom, and no one else can be a witness to that fact, then they do not have evidence. It’s a he said, she said factor.
I also hope that after Mike is found innocent of these charges, that the school district will allow him to return to the job. I hope that people will realize that just because you were accused of something, doesn’t mean it’s true. If you are falsely accused, you should have the right to return to your life and everyone should respect that.
September 7th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
I went to school there. Or I mean I still do. I have been since third grade. When passing him in the halls, I always kinda thought he was a creepy guy. None of my friends did though. And 4 years later I finally know I’m right. The whole school freaked out about it, especially me. I didn’t know what to do. I kind of got scared because what if he wasn’t the ONLY perverted teacher at the school. I am still shocked to this day. Other than that, I don’t know, he also seemed kind of cool at the same time because he would play with the kids alot. which I think is good.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I do understand protecting the pirvacy of those kids involved…..to a certain extent. I don’t understand how they can just make an accusation or assumption and have it aired out in public before a FAIR INVESTIGATION is complete. It is not fair to ALL WHO ARE INVOLVED! Just as the kids identities and privacy are protected, the accused should be protected as well until a thorough investigation is complete. I am so sorry for Mr. B as both of my kids had the pleasure of having him as their teacher. He is one of those teachers that my kids will look back on when they are in their 30’s and say….I remember Mr. B and what a great teacher he was! He is a teacher that does not lock up immediately at the last bell and become unavailable right as the bell rings. We need more teachers that care like him! NOT LESS! I hope the SCHOOL DISTRICT STANDS BEHIND HIM until they are given cause NOT TO!
August 19th, 2008 at 11:37 am
A decent being like Mr. Berchtold is receiving extremely cruel treatment in this case which is worse than a death sentence. If he is proven innocent later, he would be isolated for the rest of his life by many.