Abuse claims deadline extended

PENNSYLVANIA
Altoona Mirror

October 31, 2013
By Phil Ray (pray@altoonamirror.com) , The Altoona Mirror

HOLLIDAYSBURG – President Judge Jolene G. Kopriva has given the Altoona attorney representing five alleged sexual abuse victims of Brother Stephen Baker another six months to determine if the cases can be resolved without filing civil lawsuits.

Attorney Richard Serbin has filed notice of seven possible lawsuits in the Baker case, but in early October, the judge notified Serbin that in five cases the 120-day limit had expired for the filing of civil complaints.

She gave Serbin 30 days to file the complaints that list the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, Bishop McCort High School, where Baker served as an athletic trainer, St. Bernardine Monastery of Hollidaysburg, the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular and retired Bishop Joseph Adamec as defendants.

On Oct. 11, Bishop Mark Bartchak issued a statement saying, “The parties believe that it would serve everyone’s interest to devote time and resources to resolving the claims as opposed to engaging in formal litigation.”

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