Police accuse Wallingford man of sexually assaulting Norwalk kindergartner

NORWALK — A 74-year-old Wallingford man was arrested Tuesday on allegations he sexually assaulted a kindergartner in Norwalk.

Sanford Bernstein was arrested by Norwalk police on charges of first-degree sexual assault of a person under 10 years old, illegal sexual contact and risk of injury to a child.

The child’s mother reported the alleged sexual abuse to Norwalk police on Nov. 9, after she noticed her 6-yearold daughter displaying what appeared to be unusual behavior, according to an arrest affidavit. The mother told police that when she asked her young daughter about the behavior, she said Bernstein— who was well-known to the family — had been touching her for over a year, the affidavit said.

The child also told police Bernstein had exposed himself to her, according to the affidavit.

“Will you keep this a secret?” Bernstein asked the child, according to the affidavit.

When the family confronted Bernstein, the 74-year-old allegedly “did not get angry or make any immediate denial,” the affidavit said. The child’s father noted that Bernstein’s alleged response “didn’t seem to be the normal response of a person accused of something of this nature,” according to the warrant.

The Department of Children and Families later substantiated the sexual abuse allegations based on the child’s ability to provide specific details about the alleged sexual assaults.

The DCF report concluded “that it appears Sanford was doing this for his own sexual gratification without thinking of the possible effect it could have on” the young child, the affidavit said.

Bernstein was arraigned at the state Superior Court in Stamford on Wednesday. Following the proceedings, he posted a $250,000 bond and was released from custody.

He is next expected to appear in court on May 3.