Catholic Music Teacher Accused of Molesting Child Appears in Court

Houston Chronicle
July 2, 2012

http://blog.chron.com/newswatch/2012/07/catholic-school-teacher-accused-of-molesting-child-appears-in-court/

Lawrence Patrick (HPD)

A 65-year-old teacher was arrested after allegations surfaced that he abused an 8-year-old girl taking private music lessons from him, court records show.

The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston learned on Feb. 23 that Lawrence Patrick, who was a teacher at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic School, was accused of abusing an 8-year-0ld girl on campus after school.

The principal immediately reported the allegation to Child Protective Services and the Houston Police Department, the archdiocese confirmed in a statement Tuesday.

Patrick was put on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. On July 2, he was charged with three counts of indecency with a child, according to court documents from the Harris County District Court.

The Archdiocese released the following statement about the incident:

“The Archdiocese is deeply saddened and angered each time a crime of this nature is reported.We stand firm in our resolve to prevent abuse from happening to youth and are committed to providing a safe environment for all young people entrusted to our care.”

Patrick was arrested on a $150,000 bond, court records show.

Anyone with any information about other victims is asked to call HPD’s Juvenile Division at (713) 731 5335.