PORTLAND (ME)
WMTW-TV, ABC-8 [Portland ME]
February 6, 2025
By Scott McDonnell
[See also the decision of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.]
Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s decision to reinstate the statute of limitations on child sex abuse
“I remember details,” Frank said, flipping through old photographs of his younger self.
But at his home in Augusta, he tells us that for most of his life, he’s been trying to forget.
“I lost my soul—I lost my morals—I didn’t care anymore,” he said.
So, filing a lawsuit against the Special Olympics of Maine was a difficult decision.
That decision reignited memories that still physically shook him to his core.
The lawsuit alleges that Melvin “Mickey” Boutilier, the founder of Special Olympics Maine, started abusing Frank when he was a child in the 1960s and continued for decades while he worked for the program.
“I never want Special Olympics to be hurt by this,” Frank said. “Please, anyone who watches this—the program itself is the best. They do a good job. This is about an individual.”
Frank admits fear kept him silent for years, saying he didn’t want anyone to know about his past.
“It was me—I was afraid—I didn’t want anyone to know about me,” Frank said.
He believes his case was close to a resolution that would have provided a form of justice he feels he deserves.
That was until Jan. 28, when the Maine Supreme Court struck down a 2021 law that had repealed the statute of limitations for civil claims of childhood sexual abuse.
The ruling prevents his case—and dozens of others, including at least 30 cases against the Catholic Diocese of Portland—from moving forward.
“Their decision in the Supreme Court… if they don’t think this affects someone after seven years of the statute of limitations—why were we not recognized? It’s beyond me,” Frank said.
Frank says that even though the alleged abuse happened decades ago, the pain he carries today still pushes him to the darkest of places.
“I spent my life wanting to die, my whole life,” he said.
With few legal options left, he’s determined to use the one thing he still has—his voice.
“I gotta tell it so people see it and they know it and they feel it,” he said. “They need to make it right for everybody—not just people that have been abused within seven years.”
Maine’s Total Coverage reached out to Special Olympics Maine, which provided the following statement:
“Special Olympics International and Special Olympics Maine respect the Law Court’s decision in Dupuis and appreciate the clarity it provides. As our cases are pending before the Superior Court, we are unable to comment on specific details at this time.
As always, Special Olympics remains committed to preventing the exploitation of people in any capacity. We require all coaches, volunteers, and staff to be trained on protective behaviors, and we have clearly defined and well-communicated policies that prohibit all forms of harassment and abuse for anyone affiliated with our programs.”
Scott.McDonnell@hearst.com