In a shocking revelation, a retired teacher has been apprehended and charged with sexually abusing students at an elementary school where he taught for several decades on Long Island, New York. Thomas Bernagozzi, a 76-year-old resident of Babylon, was arraigned on Thursday in Suffolk District Court in Central Islip. Facing felony charges of sodomy and sexual conduct against a child, the accusations against Bernagozzi stem from his time as a third-grade teacher in the Bay Shore public school system from 1970 to 2000.

According to prosecutors, the charges were brought forth by two victims who claimed they were sexually abused by Bernagozzi during their time in his classroom. One victim stated that the abuse occurred between 1997 and 2000, while the other reported incidents from 1989 to 1991. These disturbing allegations have shocked the community, as Bernagozzi was once highly regarded and admired by both fellow teachers and parents.

Notably, Bernagozzi's involvement in the school extended beyond the classroom. He ran the school's plays, supervised after-school sports, and frequently organized outings for students, taking them to local beaches, pools, and even Broadway shows and sporting events. This level of involvement further deepens the concerns surrounding the extent of his alleged misconduct.

Suffolk County District Attorney, Raymond Tierney, expressed his astonishment at the magnitude of the crimes Bernagozzi is accused of committing. In a statement following the arraignment, Tierney stated, "The sheer magnitude of what this defendant is alleged to have committed is astounding. This defendant allegedly betrayed the trust of his students, their families, and the community."

In addition to the criminal charges, Bernagozzi is now facing 45 civil lawsuits filed on behalf of his former students. These lawsuits became possible due to the passage of a state law in 2019, allowing individuals who claim to have been abused as minors to file civil actions until the age of 55. The number of civil suits filed against Bernagozzi highlights the potential widespread impact of his alleged misconduct.

The Bay Shore Union Free School District, where Bernagozzi taught, has also been implicated in the civil suits. Superintendent Steven Maloney has not responded to requests for comment, but he did release a statement on the district's website, stating that they are cooperating with law enforcement officials and have no further information on the matter. It remains to be seen how the district will handle the legal ramifications and any potential liability arising from this deeply troubling case.

Following his arraignment, Bernagozzi was released without bail, under the condition of GPS monitoring. He is scheduled to appear in court again on December 26. Despite the gravity of the allegations against him, Bernagozzi did not comment on the charges following his appearance, and his lawyer has also remained silent.

As the community grapples with the shock of these revelations, many are left questioning how such alleged abuses could go unnoticed for decades. As the legal proceedings progress, the focus now turns to ensuring justice for the victims and implementing measures to prevent any future instances of abuse within the education system.