Sex-Offender Priest to Be Released from Prison

By Kasey Hott
NBC 26
May 4, 2012

http://www.nbc26.com/news/local/150262115.html

[with video]

GREEN BAY - A family is outraged, after learning the priest who molested their young boy will be released from prison early.

Donald Buzanowski was granted early release by a Brown County judge Friday afternoon, and could be out of prison as early as next week. He was sentenced to 32 years in prison in 2005 for molesting a student at Saints Peter and Paul School in Green Bay.

It's been more than 20 years since David Schauer went to Green Bay Police, telling them he had been sexually abused by Buzanowski. He says he was shocked to learn that after serving only seven years in prison, Buzanowski has been granted early release.

"It was very frustrating to hear that, after all of the difficult work and the difficult time I had in testifying.. but looking back at it, I would still do it all over again," said Schauer.

Schauer spoke with Buzanowski on Friday morning, and says he's convinced that if released, the former priest will re-offend.

"I asked if he still feels that he's at risk for re-offending. He said, 'I guess I'm never not at risk. Even with treatment, I'm never not at risk,'" said Schauer.

Schauer's family is hoping that other victims will step forward, so Buzanowski can be prosecuted and sent back to prison.

"I still see and hear the 12-year-old child who came to us and said this is what happened to me when he was supposed to be counseling me.. and how this 12-year-old child was the one who wanted to go to the D.A.. who wanted to go to the police.. who kept saying 'Mom, we can't stop.. so he can't hurt another child,'" said David's mother, Judith Schauer.

Schauer says the judge granted Buzanowski early release because of a technicality in the law that was in effect when the crime was committed.

NBC26 reached out to the Diocese of Green Bay for comment on Buzanowski's release, but have yet to hear anything back.