Venice Diocese Sued over Ft. Myers Sex Abuse Case

By Andrew Murphy
JRN
September 23, 2014

http://www.jrn.com/fox4now/news/Venice-Diocese-sued-over-Ft-Myers-sex-abuse-case-276819221.html

Major developments out of Sarasota County, FOX 4 has learned the Diocese of Venice is being sued for $5 million over a case of sexual abuse.

The suit, filed Tuesday morning, involves former diocese volunteer Robert Little, who was convicted of molesting a 13-year-old boy last year.

Little worked at Saint Francis Xavier church in Fort Myers and lived in a church-owned property when the abuse happened.

According to the lawsuit, the family names another, now 14-year-old boy, in it as G.G. Doe, and says he was also sexually assaulted by Little. The family seeking the damages accuses the church of covering it up. The family of the 14-year-old boy is speaking out.

"All i pray is that other children will come out and speak up if they have been hurt by this man," said Isabelle and Sisto Romano.

The Diocese of Venice is responding to these allegations. In a statement, it says the Romano's son wasn't abused on church property. The Romano's say they told the Diocese about the abuse in 2011.

"We were told that they were going to take care of the issue and that things would be sent and told to the Diocese," explained the Romanos.

FOX4 spoke to the attorney representing the case little was convicted of by phone.

"The Diocese failed to take any action to prevent him from harming her son," said Adam Horowitz.

If only, the Romano's say, Little had been removed from church ground's sooner.

"Had you seen Mr. Little around campus?" asked FOX 4. "Yes," said the Romanos. "How could anyone let him around children again was beyond me."

For the 2013 case, Little accepted a plea deal, and will serve just under a year in jail, followed by 10 years of probation.