Man performed lewd acts on kids during nap time, then threatened them, CA cops say

A 28-year-old man is going to prison after being convicted of performing lewd acts on three kids, California officials said.

Adam Bendell of Auburn is accused of inappropriately touching kids during bedtime and nap time, according to a May 22 Facebook post by the Placer County District Attorney’s Office. “The abuse also escalated over time,” the release said.

In February 2021, Placer County deputies got reports of children telling family members about acts happening with a non-family member, officials said.

Bendell instilled fear in the kids, ranging from 3 to 6 years old, by telling them they’d “get in trouble” if they told anyone, officials said.

On March 5, Bendell was found guilty, prosecutors said. Officials said during his trial, Bendell focused on the possibility of losing his job, “concern for his social image” and showed “his lack of remorse.”

He was sentenced to 135-years-to-life in prison on multiple charges of lewd acts on a child, prosecutors said.

Placer County is about a 60-mile drive northeast of Sacramento.

This story was originally published May 27, 2024 at 10:44 AM with the headline "Man performed lewd acts on kids during nap time, then threatened them, CA cops say."