Cleric at Center of Abuse Scandal Dead

By Wjac Web Staff
The Wjac
January 26, 2013

www.wjactv.com/news/news/cleric-center-abuse-scandal-dead/nT7ZG/

Police said the Franciscan brother accused of sexually abusing several former Bishop McCort High School students in the ‘90s is dead. 

Blair Township police told 6 News Brother Stephen Baker who lived at a monastery near Hollidaysburg died this morning.  They said they were called at 7:35 Saturday morning and he was dead upon their arrival.

Police said Baker commited suicide Saturday afternoon.

It's now been a week since allegations surfaced against Baker in Cambria County.

6 News heard from former McCort students on Wednesday who said brother Stephen Baker was well liked by everyone in the school, but they also admitted there was always something strange about his behavior.

Johnstown attorney Michael Parrish told 6 News Thursday that's it's a bit early to go into specifics, but he said the allegations he's heard so far are some of the most disturbing in his career. He said he's learned the alleged abuse was so commonly known, it was more of a culture at the time.

Parrish said the case has been tragedy from beginning, but with Baker’s death, the claims will move forward with no effect.

“The key witness on who knew what and when has been removed from the case,” Parrish said.

6 News has learned a Greensburg attorney has already filed notice in Cambria County court that she will soon be filing civil lawsuits on behalf of three alleged victims from Bishop McCort.  Altoona attorney Richard Serbin has also been contacted by 12 others himself.