Media Release

Road to Recovery
October 21, 2014

http://www.road-to-recovery.org/

88 of Br. Stephen Baker’s courageous sexual abuse victims to share 8 million dollar settlement from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, PA; Bishop Mc Cort High School, Johnstown, PA; and the Franciscans Friars Third Order Regular of Hollidaysburg, PA

At least one sexual abuse victim of Br. Stephen Baker from the Altoona-Johnstown area who is not part of the recent settlement has come forward to report that he too was sexually abused by Br. Stephen Baker, and more victims are expected to come forward. Br Stephen Baker was a serial predator.

What: A press conference to discuss the 8 million dollar settlement for 88 victims of Br. Stephen Baker, a Franciscan Third Order Regular religious brother who resided at the headquarters of the Franciscans in Hollidaysburg, PA and was assigned to Bishop Mc Cort High School in Johnstown, PA as a religion teacher, coach, and athletic trainer, although unlicensed and uncertified.

When: Wednesday, October 22, 2014 at 11:30 AM

Where: On public property in front of the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, PA, 927 S. Logan Boulevard, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 – 814-695-5579

Who: Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., co-founder and President of Road to Recovery, Inc., a non-profit charity that assists victims of sexual abuse and their families; Barbara Aponte of Poland, Ohio, whose son, Luke Bradesku, took his own life because of sexual abuse by Br. Stephen Baker in Ohio.

Why: 88 courageous sexual abuse victims of Br. Stephen Baker will finally try to realize some sense of validation and closure through the settlement of 8 million dollars from the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, PA, Bishop Mc Cort High School, and the Franciscan Friars Third Order Regular. Br. Stephen Baker was a serial sexual abuser of minor children and his victims number in the hundreds. At least one more sexual abuse victim of Br. Stephen Baker has come forward, and other victims will be encouraged to come forward to begin the healing process and hold the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and the Franciscan friars accountable for enabling the sexual abuse of minors. All sexual abuse victims of Br. Stephen Baker and any other clergyman or religious person should know that it is not too late to come forward, report the sexual abuse, and begin the healing process. It is known that Br. Stephen Baker sexually abused innocent children in Minnesota, Michigan, and Ohio before sexually abusing innocent children in Pennsylvania. Why weren’t the supervisors of Br. Stephen Baker doing their job?

Contacts: Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D., Road to Recovery, Inc., 862-368-2800

Attorney Mitchell Garabedian, Boston, MA – 617-523-6250