Danvers Child Pornography Suspect's Psychology License Suspended

DANVERS, MA — The Danvers man accused of having a "secret room filled with child pornography" had his state psychology license suspended, according to WCVB-TV.

The station said state records showed Mark Ternullo's state license was suspended.

The Essex County District Attorney's Office said Ternullo. 68, was charged with child pornography after a contractor hired to renovate the bathroom of Ternullo's Danvers apartment removed the wall behind the bathtub because of extensive water damage and "found a hidden room in which multiple boxes full of pornographic images of children were stored."

The Essex DA's Office said Assistant District Attorney Ann Marie Gochis requested $500,000 cash bail for Ternullo, plus the conditions he remains under house arrest with a GPS monitoring device, does not have any contact with children under 18 years old and does not use the internet.

Bail was set at $10,000.

Gov. Charlie Baker criticized the low bail amount in making a push for reforms this weekend.

"It's simple," Baker said in a social media post. "Anyone (accused of) having a secret room filled with child pornography should be kept away from the public and kids.

"But current law doesn't allow a judge to hold someone charged with possession of child pornography. Our bill would change that."

The DA's Office said Ternullo has lived in the apartment for the past 23 years.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 7.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)