<b>Timeline:</b> An investigation unfolds
Oct. 2010: A worker at a CVS pharmacy in the South Bay notices the images of children blindfolded, with tape over their mouth while processing film belonging to teacher Mark Berndt. He alerts Redondo Beach police.
Dec. 2010: Redondo Beach police turn over investigation to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after concluding the photos were taken at Berndt’s classroom in an unincorporated section of South L.A.
Jan. 3 , 2011: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department detective Marvin Jaramilla goes to Berndt’s Miramonte Elementary School classroom. In a trash bin, he finds a blue spoon and a container. DNA tests later reveal the spoon contains Berdt’s semon.
Jan. 7, 2011: After Sheriff’s detectives inform them of the investigation, school officials places Berndt on leave.
Jan. 11, 2011: School officials fire Berndt.
Jan. 12, 2011: The Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Unit searches Berndt’s Torrance home. Over the next 12 months, detectives conducts interviews with 80 potential witnesses, including numerous children in Berndt’s classes.
Jan. 30, 2012: Berndt arrested and charged on 23 counts of lewd conduct with a child.
Jan. 31, 2012: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announce the arrest.
Sources: L.A. County Sheriff’s Department; Los Angeles Unified School District; L.A. County district attorney’s office
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