Local Men Claim Abuse by Late Friar

By Jeff Kranitz
My Fox Detroit
February 3, 2013

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/20952140/former-students-of-late-friar-claim-abuse


[with video]

Orchard Lake, Mich. (WJBK) -

Two local men have added their names to a long list of alleged victims claiming abuse by a Franciscan friar who recently committed suicide.

Bishop Stephen Baker was at the center of an interstate abuse scandal involving more than 60 complainants, before he took his own life in Pennsylvania last month.

Baker, who was a teacher at St. Mary's Preparatory in Orchard Lake from 1983-85, was found dead of reported self-inflicted stab wounds to the chest last month.

His suicide came less than two weeks after a legal settlement by 11 men who said Baker sexually abused them in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

After the settlement was announced Jan. 16, 60 more accusers came forward, and led to a local abuse survivor urging the Archdiocese of Detroit to launch it's own investigation. Click on the link to see Taryn Asher's report from Jan. 30.

The two local men who came forward Sunday are being represented by Dr. Robert Hoatson, president and co-founder of Road to Recovery, Inc.

Click on the video player to watch Robin Schwartz's report.

Dr. Hoatson made the announcement Sunday morning on the campus of St. Mary's Prep.

Road to Recovery is a non-profit that offers treatment and other services for people who have been abused by clergy. They can be reached at (862) 368-2800.