The Kansas City Star
Jun. 04, 2005
Sixteen Jackson County lawsuits alleging past child molestation by Catholic priests have been put on hold until the Missouri Supreme Court answers a key question.
At issue is when the five-year statute of limitations begins to run on child-molestation cases. The appeals court in Kansas City has ruled that it begins at age 21, but the appeals court in St. Louis said it begins when a person remembers repressed memories.
The St. Louis ruling, which was issued this week, criticized rulings by the Kansas City-based court. The St. Louis appeals court asked the state Supreme Court to resolve the matter.