Family Therapist Indicted on Sex Abuse Charges

A therapist whose alleged victims were a 19-year-old woman and a 12-year-old boy was arraigned Aug. 13 on a 9-count indictment, the Westchester County District Attorney's office announced.

The DA alleged that Mark Bernardini, a family therapist working out of his home office in North Salem and an office in Bronxville, inappropriately touched the 19-year-old during a May 16 session in North Salem.

The victim told her parents who contacted the New York State Police, the DA's office said.

On July 2, according to the indictment, Bernardini engaged in sexual contact with a 12-year-old he was counseling in Bronxville.

The DA said the victim cried out to his family after the session and they immediately contacted the Bronxville police. The defendant was arrested in his office later that day by the village police.

Bernardini is due back in court Nov. 12 to face these charges:

• one count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class “B” Violent Felony,
• one count of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, a class “D” Felony,
• one count of Criminal Sexual Act in the Third Degree, a class “E” Felony,
• one count of Forcible Touching, a class “A” Misdemeanor,
• one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class “A” Misdemeanor,
• four counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, class “B” Misdemeanors.

Assistant District Attorney Amy Puerto of the Special Prosecutions Division is prosecuting the case.