Martin Bernard Springer, 49 (Booking Photo) |
LOS ANGELES -- One of two girls who accused a Miramonte Elementary School teacher of fondling her has decided not to go forward with the case, according to law enforcement sources.
Martin Bernard Springer, 49, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three counts of committing lewd acts.
Springer had been employed by the school system since 1986, and worked exclusively as a teacher at Miramonte Elementary.
He has been fired in the wake of the sex scandal.
He was arrested Friday after two students at the school accused him of fondling them.
But the charges filed Tuesday only involve one girl.
Investigators say the second alleged victim has decided not to press charges.
They say the girl and her family did not want to get involved in the investigation.
"In this case we are not saying the info from the kid was not factual," said Lt. Carlos Marquez.
"The child decided with the family this was not a course they wanted to take... it was not a case they wanted to file with the D.A."
The judge set bail at $300,000 and directed that Springer wear a GPS ankle monitor if released.
He must also stay 100 yards from the alleged victim and witnesses, and 250 feet from schools and parks, and may not be in the company of minors without a supervising adult.
Springer is due back in court on Feb. 16.
If convicted, he faces a maximum of 12 years in prison.
Martin Bernard Springer, 49, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to three counts of committing lewd acts.
Springer had been employed by the school system since 1986, and worked exclusively as a teacher at Miramonte Elementary.
He has been fired in the wake of the sex scandal.
He was arrested Friday after two students at the school accused him of fondling them.
But the charges filed Tuesday only involve one girl.
Investigators say the second alleged victim has decided not to press charges.
They say the girl and her family did not want to get involved in the investigation.
"In this case we are not saying the info from the kid was not factual," said Lt. Carlos Marquez.
"The child decided with the family this was not a course they wanted to take... it was not a case they wanted to file with the D.A."
The judge set bail at $300,000 and directed that Springer wear a GPS ankle monitor if released.
He must also stay 100 yards from the alleged victim and witnesses, and 250 feet from schools and parks, and may not be in the company of minors without a supervising adult.
Springer is due back in court on Feb. 16.
If convicted, he faces a maximum of 12 years in prison.
