PENNSYLVANIA
WJAC
BY MARIA MILLER TUESDAY, MARCH 15TH 2016
JOHNSTOWN — Following the announcement of criminal charges against three Franciscan Friars, accused of covering up sexual abuse by a former Bishop McCort teacher and athletic trainer, Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane said Tuesday her office found no criminal wrongdoing by the Bishop McCort board, the Johnstown Police Department or the Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
However, a few weeks ago Cambria County District Attorney Kelly Callihan told 6 News she thinks the Johnstown Police Department could have done more.
Allegations of sexual abuse at Bishop McCort Catholic High School first surfaced in 2011. That’s when Bishop Mark Bartchak notified Johnstown police of two victims.
“At least two individuals had previously come forward previously to the Johnstown Police Department and they never notified me of that,” said Callihan.
It wasn’t until 2013 that Callihan said she was informed when more people came forward after a similar case in Ohio.
“The grand jury could also not find conclusive evidence that the Johnstown police engaged in any criminal wrongdoing,” Kane said. “However, unprofessional conduct on the part of this law enforcement, it does not appear that the officials engaged in any criminal conduct.”
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