UNITED STATES
South Dakota Public Broadcasting
[with audio]
By CHARLES MICHAEL RAY
A 7th Judicial Circuit Court judge has thrown out a number of civil lawsuits against the Catholic Church that allege past sexual and physical abuse in Native American boarding schools.
One case included a series of detailed letters written by clergy that plaintiffs say clearly show the church knew about sexual abuse of minors decades ago but covered it up.
The lawsuits were thrown out in part due to an added statute of limitations passed by the legislature in 2010. That law limited the amount of time those who suffer alleged abuse can bring a lawsuit against the church.
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