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	Cleveland: St. Joseph Academy Teacher Accused of Sexual Misconduct, under Investigation WKYC September 29, 2009 http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=122386&catid=3 CLEVELAND -- An unidentified teacher at St. Joseph Academy, an all-girls Catholic school, was placed on administrative leave this weekend when school officials learned that he may have had a sexual relationship with former students. Another teacher has resigned for failing to report the information to officials. Police were to hold a press conference Tuesday regarding the investigation but have cancelled it, saying the detectives are still investigating. Cleveland Police Department's Division of Police Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit detectives are in the process of gathering and inspecting evidence and taking statements in an attempt to determine the identities of potential victims and to uncover facts. "We are asking for the public's help in identifying and contacting any young ladies who may have had an improper relationship with a teacher at St. Joseph Academy," said Lt. Michael Baumiller, head of Cleveland's Sex Crimes Unit. "Anyone who comes forward can do so with the understanding that their privacy will be respected and their identity will be protected." There have been no arrests or charges filed in this matter and the investigation is in the preliminary stages. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Unit at (216) 623-5630. St. Joseph President Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis sent a letter to parents this weekend, saying the investiagtion has been turned over to Cleveland police. The teacher, and another who resigned after admitting that he had known about the alleged sexual misconduct, have not been named. The letter also stated that the school was "outraged and saddened to learn that someone on our faculty may have taken advantage of his position to harm our girls -- and simply aghast that another faculty member had knowledge about this and failed to properly and immediately report it to us." Below is a copy of the letter which was also posted on the school website. September 27, 2009 We recently became aware that a teacher at Saint Joseph Academy may have been involved in a sexual relationship with students who graduated from our school some years ago. In accordance with state law and diocesan policy, we notified the police department, officials of the Congregation of St. Joseph and designated persons in the Diocese of Cleveland. He was interviewed by the police and immediately placed on administrative leave. He has been instructed to have no contact with students or anyone else in the Saint Joseph Academy community. As part of the police investigation, another teacher admitted that, for some time, he had information about the alleged sexual misconduct but did not come forward to tell us or the authorities about what he knew. This is in direct violation of our school policies and those of the Diocese of Cleveland. As a result, he has resigned from his position with the school. Because these matters are now in the hands of the authorities, we are not able to discuss the details of these allegations. We will cooperate fully with their investigation and keep you informed as we learn more. Protecting our students and creating a safe, nurturing learning environment is our highest priority. We were outraged and saddened to learn that someone on our faculty may have taken advantage of his position to harm our girls -- and simply aghast that another faculty member had knowledge about this and failed to properly and immediately report it to us. We are so grateful that parents entrust their daughters to us. We take that responsibility very seriously. We sent a letter to our parents encouraging them to talk to their daughters and to stress the importance of talking to school authorities or the police if they have any information whatsoever or if they have ever been the victim of sexual misconduct. This is so very important to us because we are not able to address concerns if we are not made aware. We are praying for all those involved in this very difficult situation. It is also important for everyone to remember that persons are assumed to be innocent until proven otherwise. Mary Ann Corrigan-Davis, President, Saint Joseph Academy
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