PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive
By The Associated Press
on April 15, 2016
HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — Records from a Franciscan religious order show three former leaders knew a friar had been accused of child sex abuse before he was allowed to work at a high school and other jobs where he was later accused of molesting more than 100 children, an investigator testified Thursday.
Jessica Eger, a special agent with the state’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, said documents showed Giles Schinelli, Robert D’Aversa and Anthony Criscitelli were aware of allegations dating to 1977 against Brother Stephen Baker, who killed himself in 2013.
“He molested children because these men put him in a position to molest them,” Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dye told the judge while arguing with defense attorneys during the testimony.
The hearing, which will resume April 27, will determine whether the three former Franciscan leaders stand trial on child endangerment and conspiracy charges.
Franciscan Robert D’Aversa arrives to his hearing at the Blair County courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pa., Thursday, April 14, 2016. Three Franciscan friars face a hearing on charges they allowed a suspected sexual predator to teach at a Pennsylvania high school and hold other jobs where he molested more than 100 children. Thursday’s hearing will determine whether D’Aversa, Anthony Criscitelli, and Giles Schinelli stand trial on child endangerment and conspiracy charges. (Todd Berkey/Tribune-Democrat via AP)
Todd Berkey
When they were charged last month, Schinelli was a pastoral administrator of a Catholic retreat in Winter Park, Florida; D’Aversa was a pastor in Mount Dora, Florida; and Criscitelli was a pastor in Minneapolis. They have since been removed from their duties.
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