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2nd Teacher At Miramonte Elementary School Arrested For Alleged Lewd Acts Against Children

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Another teacher at Miramonte Elementary School in South Los Angeles has been arrested just days after a former teacher was booked on suspicion of bizarre sex crimes.

Los Angeles Sheriff's officials Friday identified the second teacher as 49-year-old Martin Bernard Springer of Alhambra.

The accusations against Springer involve two former female students who were allegedly fondled in the classroom, CBS2's Dave Lopez reported.

"They were approximately 7 years old at the time of the incidents which were alleged to have occurred during the past three years," said Capt. Mike Parker of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

"Since Wednesday morning, sheriff's investigators interviewed several people including suspect Springer. Meanwhile, suspect Springer was suspended and removed from the classroom by Los Angeles Unified School District officials," Parker said.

Springer had been under surveillance for the last 24 hours. Officials said the two girls came forward after all of the publicity surrounding this week's arrest of 30-year LAUSD veteran teacher Mark Berndt.

Berndt has been charged with 23 lewd acts upon a child.

It's still unclear whether there's any connection between Berndt and Springer.

"I'm not aware of a connection per se, but obviously they both teach at the same school so they know each other. But I'm not aware of any connection," Parker said.

Detectives have yet to present the case to the District Attorney's Office. By law, they have until Tuesday to do so.

Springer has been booked on suspicion of lewd acts upon a child. His bail has been set at $2 million.

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