Tips, leads flooding into Altoona-Johnstown priest sex abuse hotline

PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive

By Christian Alexandersen | calexandersen@pennlive.com

A hotline set up to learn about the sexual abuses performed by priests and religious leaders within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has already gotten dozens of calls.

State Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced the hotline Tuesday morning amid the release of a grand jury report documenting the rape of hundreds of children by diocese leaders over 40 years. Spokesman Jeff Johnson said the hotline — 888-538-8541 — had received 85 calls by 1 p.m. Wednesday.

“We believe that one phone call could change everything,” Johnson said. “The right information could create a new investigative lead that could result in charges.”

The hotline is being staffed by attorney general agents or attorneys fluent in the Altoona-Johnstown diocese abuse case.

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