Teacher fired by Gilman School now charged with rape and sexual abuse of a minor
Christopher Bendann, whose dismissal was announced by the school last month, is charged by Baltimore County Police with sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree rape and other offenses
Above: Former Gilman social studies teacher Chris Bendann. (LinkedIn)
Rape and child sexual abuse charges have been filed against former Gilman School teacher Christopher Kenji Bendann, whose dismissal for “inappropriate out of school conduct” was announced by the school last month.
According to online court records, Bendann, 38, of Towson, was charged with felony sexual abuse of a minor, second-degree rape and third-degree sex offense as well as misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree sexual contact and perverted practice.
The records do not provide details of the alleged offenses, but say they occurred between 2016 and 2019.
Bendann has taught middle school social studies at the prestigious private school in Roland Park for 15 years.
Baltimore County Police, who had been investigating the case since last month, said they executed a search and seizure warrant at Bendann’s home and arrested him today.
As first reported by The Brew, Gilman’s head of school, Henry P.A. Smyth, had alerted the school community to Bendann’s firing in a January 20 email to alumni and alumni parents.
The email did not share details about the behavior or when it took place, but noted that school officials “recently learned about several reports” of the inappropriate conduct by Bendann and “immediately placed him on leave.”
Police Statement
Joy Lepola Stewart, director of public affairs for Baltimore County Police, released the following statement:
“In the month of January, detectives of the Baltimore County Police Department’s Crimes Against Children Unit were alerted by their partners in the Child Protective Services that a teacher at the Gilman School had been terminated for inappropriate and suspicious relationships with current and former students.
An investigation led to the discovery of at least one victim, who provided information of continuous sexual abuse by the former teacher/advisor, Christopher Bendann.
On Friday, February 3, the Baltimore County Police Department conducted a search and seizure warrant at Bendann’s residence in the 100 block of Stanmore Road in Towson. Bendann has been arrested and charged with several counts, including several counts of sexual child abuse.
At this time, this is an ongoing investigation. The detectives believe there are several victims of Bendann’s abuse and urge them to come forward. Anyone with information about these crimes can contact the Crimes Against Children Unit at 410-887-7720 or Child Protective Services at 410-887-8463.”
Past Abuse at Gilman
In his January email, Head of School Smyth said Gilman “not aware of inappropriate physical conduct” by Bendann toward students, but had reported the matter to Child Protective Services (CPS).
It also noted that assemblies were planned that day for the middle and upper schools to discuss the issue.
A 2003 Gilman graduate, Bendann attended Skidmore College and returned to his alma mater immediately after graduating.
Bendan began teaching there in 2007 and, in 2017, took on additional duties as the Middle School’s admissions coordinator, according to his LinkedIn.
Bendann could not be reached for comment. Messages left for his attorneys today have not been returned.
Gilman officials, who have previously declined to provide further comment on the case citing privacy issues, have not returned a request for comment today.
A spokeswoman, responding after deadline, said the school is aware of the former Gilman teacher’s arrest, but could not comment.
“We are committed to supporting our students and families as well as our broader Gilman community as they process this devastating news,” Brooke S. Blumberg said in an email. “However, as this is an ongoing legal matter, we have no further comment.”
Running track and athletic field at the Gilman School in north Baltimore. (Mark Reutter)
Past Abuse at Gilman
Revelations about past sexual abuse by teachers at Gilman – and the school’s weak response after being apprised of allegations – came to light in 2021.
An investigative report commissioned by the school documented sexual abuse by two teachers dating back to the 1950s and occurring as recently as 2009.
The teachers, one of whom has since died, were never criminally charged.
But the school released an action plan, “Guarding Against Sexual Abuse,” that outlined practices and policies to better address and prevent sexual abuse.