St. Louis teacher accused of assaulting student

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A teacher at a St. Louis grade school faces charges for the alleged sexual assault of a student. Meanwhile, the principal is charged with a misdemeanor for failing to report the incident.

Authorities say 61-year-old John Bender assaulted the 12-year-old student in September. Bender is a computer teacher at Gateway Elementary School. He is charged with first-degree statutory sodomy and first-degree child molestation.

Principal Richard Sirna is accused of failing to file a report of the allegation with the Missouri Department of Social Services. He is due in court May 15th.

The school district says both men are suspended with pay pending results of an investigation.

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Information from: KSDK-TV, http://www.ksdk.com