MASSACHUSETTS
Catholic Free Press
A part-time music and theater arts teacher has been dismissed from two Catholic schools as a result of allegations of sexual abuse that reportedly occurred in the early-1990s, according to a press release from the Diocese of Worcester.
The teacher, Derek P. Sylvester of Worcester, was placed on paid administrative leave Nov. 10 and subsequently dismissed Dec. 2 after an internal investigation and recommendation, according to the diocesan Office of Communications. During the investigation, Mr. Sylvester denied that any sexual abuse had occurred, the release stated.
The allegations against Mr. Sylvester were from a time prior to his employment at St. Mary Elementary School in Shrewsbury and St. Joseph Elementary School in Webster. Neither school had received any complaints about Mr. Sylvester’s behavior.
According to the press release, Judith Audette, the victim’s assistance coordinator for the diocesan Office of Healing and Prevention, received a confidential report Nov. 7, made by the alleged victim, who is now an adult. In keeping with its policies, the Diocese said it reported the allegation to the Worcester District Attorney’s office.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.