DELAWARE, Ohio – The parents spoke, some through tears and others with controlled rage, to the once-admired second-grade teacher they had befriended and their children had adored.
READ MORE: In The Columbus Dispatch
Matthew Rausenberg sat motionless as parent after parent told Delaware County Judge David Gormley how the former Arrowhead Elementary School teacher had betrayed a basic trust, defiled their child’s innocence and forced youngsters to testify about a very adult subject.
“You completely fit the definition of a pedophile,” one said. “I think it will take a lifetime for you to truly understand what it means to cry authentic tears of remorse, guilt and apology.”
Rausenberg, 40, was sentenced Thursday to 76 years in prison with no chance of parole plus two additional 15-years-to-life terms.
He was convicted Monday on 41 counts of gross sexual imposition, kidnapping and pandering sexually oriented material related to the sexual abuse of nine children since 2006.
Prosecutors called Rausenberg, affectionately known as “Mr. R.” during a dozen years at Arrowhead, the worst kind of predator who groomed not only his students but their parents and other teachers.
“Mr. Rausenberg is a clear and present danger to any child who walks the earth,” said Delaware County Prosecutor Carol O’Brien.
“You were the male role model she was looking for,” said a mother, sobbing. “I trusted you.”