St. John: All background checks were clear on former teacher accused of sexual abuse

GREEN BAY (WI)
WLUK FOX 11 News

August 28th 2019

A Little Chute school is responding to recent reports of a former teacher accused of sexually abusing children.

According to the Associated Press, former Franciscan brother and St John Nepomucene Catholic School teacher, Paul West, is being investigated for sexually abusing children in Mississippi in the late 90’s.

West’s alleged victims say he would sexually abuse them in Mississippi and on summer trips to Appleton.

On Wednesday the St. Francis grade school in Mississippi they are dedicated to the well-being of their students and are requiring priests and faculty to participate in the VIRTUS program, which aims to prevent abuse and improves the lives of those who interact with the Church.

After leaving his position as a principal at a Catholic school in Mississippi in 1998, West began teaching fifth grade at St. John’s School in 2000 and remained on the job until at least 2010.

St. John school officials say a background check was completed at the time of West’s hiring and it came back clear. References were also checked and no substantiated allegations were revealed.

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