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	Mother Suing School, Diocese in Connection with Numerous Sexual Assaults of a 12-Year-Old Girl By Joe Wojtas The Day November 6, 2007 http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=22d8b9d7-942e-4a94-b76f-4a0a905cd38d A New London mother, whose 12-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted on numerous occasions while skipping class at St. Mary Star of the Sea School, is suing the school and the Diocese of Norwich for never telling her that the girl was absent. Also named in the suit is Bishop Michael Cote and Carol Boy of Colchester, the girl's teacher at the school. The suit charges that from December 2004 to June 2005, the girl had repeatedly been absent or tardy and that at no time did the school contact the girls' parents to determine the cause of the absences or require her to get a note from her parents to return. The suit states that during that time, the girl "came under the influence" of Jose Pagan of New London, who was then 29 years old, and had sexual contact, including intercourse, with him. The Day is not identifying the girl or her mother because the girl is a victim of sexual abuse. Pagan was eventually arrested. The warrant for his arrest said he had sex with the girl about 15 times from November 2004 to April 2005. It states he took the girl out of school to have sex, including one time when he took her to the Red Roof Inn. In an interview with police, Pagan said he had sex with the girl and her 15-year-old sister because he did not want them to have sex with men who would not show them respect. In March 2006, Pagan was found guilty in New London Superior Court of first-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor. He is now serving a 13-year prison term. Before the trial, Pagan rejected a plea bargain that called for five years in prison and 10 years of special parole in exchange for a guilty plea. The suit charges the school failed to have a policy of contacting parents when their child is absent or late and did not take steps to determine why the girl was repeatedly absent. It also states her report card does not mention the absences. The suit charges that because of the defendants' negligence and carelessness, the girl suffered injuries that include extreme emotional distress, development of post-traumatic stress syndrome, interruption of her schooling and involvement in a premature sexual relationship. Diocesan spokesman Michael Strammiello said Monday that the diocese could not comment on the case "beyond reaffirming that we respect and trust the legal process and do not want to compromise the proceedings. We will be keeping the family in our prayers." The diocese's law firm declined comment. The school and Boy could not be reached for comment Monday. The attorney for the girl's mother, Michael Quinn of Waterford, said he could not say much about the case. He declined to discuss how the girl is doing now after the sexual assaults.
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