16 Connecticut Schools Named in Sex Abuse “spotlight” Story

By Tina Detelj
WTNH
May 9, 2016

http://wtnh.com/2016/05/09/16-connecticut-schools-named-in-sex-abuse-spotlight-story/

[with video]

67 private schools in New England are named in the Boston Globe article on sex abuse.

News 8 looked at two in eastern Connecticut where the alleged abusers have now passed away.

St. Thomas More in Montville is a private college preparatory school for boys, and according to the article investigating allegations of sexual abuse and harassment by staff, it is one of 16 private schools in Connecticut where alleged abuse took place.

“I’m not surprised at all because I’m religious so I guess you see my chains whatever but you just have to pray for the good that’s all,” says Kareem Lucas of Groton.

The article is written by the Globe’s “Spotlight” investigative team which was showcased in the academy award winning film of the same name for its exposure of the sex abuse scandal in the Catholic church.

At St. Thomas More a former student sued the school in 2003, saying Father Edward McGrath sexually abused him in the 1970s. McGrath who died in 1998 has also been accused by at least one other student.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” says one woman who did not want to be identified. “Disappointing…it’s always disappointing.”

The Academy of Mount Saint John in Deep River is also named in the article which says in 2014 a former student filed suit claiming a 1992 assault by Brother K. Paul McGlade who died in 2013. He was a teacher and executive director at the school.

“I’ve lived in Deep River all my life and I’ve always thought of Mount St. John as a good place for the boys who had enough trouble in their life,” says Janet Kruszewski of Deep River.

News8 contacted both schools for comment and the Diocese of Norwich which could not speak specifically to the allegations at its affiliated school The Academy of Mount St. John but tells News8 “… we remain vigorously committed to child safety in every Catholic institution…”

“Hopefully it’s not happening anymore,” says Kruszewski.