OHIO
WKBN
[with video]
The mother of a former Warren John F. Kennedy High School student who committed suicide in 2003 said she believes her son’s death was caused by alleged sexual abuse by Brother Stephen Baker, who has been accused of abusing dozens of students in four states.
The former teacher and coach, a member of the T.O.R. Franciscan Order, committed suicide last month after his students accused him of sexual abuse.
Barbara Aponte said when the news of Baker’s alleged sexual abuse at Warren JFK broke last month, the reason behind her son’s 2003 suicide suddenly hit her.
“A flood of memories and images rushed at me and I was thrown right back into the agony of Luke’s death as if it just occurred. What never made sense to me suddenly became clear and guilt overwhelmed me,” Aponte said.
Her son, Luke Bradesku, attended JFK from 1990 to 1994. Aponte said he played football, ran track and received good grades.
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