LOS ANGELES, Nov 15 – In a shocking case out of Santa Monica, a registered nurse working in a California prison has been arrested for allegedly showing nude photographs of himself to young children on the popular Santa Monica Pier. The man, 46-year-old Benjamin Bush, faces charges of child annoyance and distributing harmful material to minors.
Benjamin Bush, a 46-year-old resident of Rosamond in Kern County and a registered nurse at the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, was taken into custody following an “intensive investigation” by the Santa Monica Police Department.
The incident, which occurred on the evening of September 18, involved Bush allegedly approaching three 9-year-old children outside of Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier and showing them a nude photograph of himself. He was also observed displaying the same image to another child in a nearby arcade, authorities said.
Police began investigating the allegations soon after, and after weeks of work, they were able to identify Bush as the suspect. He was arrested in late October and cited on charges of child annoyance and distributing harmful material to a minor. According to jail records, Bush has no prior criminal history and has since been released with a court date scheduled for January.
Bush had been employed as a nurse at the California Correctional Institution since January 2020. Following his arrest, he was placed on administrative leave, according to a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). “CDCR resolutely condemns any staff member who violates their oath and shatters the trust of the public,” a spokesperson for the department said.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and have asked for the public’s assistance. Anyone with information or who may have witnessed similar events involving Bush is encouraged to contact Santa Monica Police Department detectives Sean Baker or David Haro, or reach out to the department’s Watch Commander at 310-458-8427.
The case has raised concerns among parents and community members, as the Santa Monica Pier is a popular family destination. Local law enforcement officials are urging vigilance and reiterating the importance of reporting any suspicious behavior to authorities.
As Benjamin Bush awaits his court appearance in January, the investigation remains active, and additional charges could be forthcoming if more victims are identified.
