PENNSYLVANIA
PennLive
By Ivey DeJesus | idejesus@pennlive.com
JOHNSTOWN — Three Catholic leaders from the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese are facing criminal charges for their part in an alleged conspiracy that allowed more than 80 victims to be sexually abused by a known child predator.
That predator, Stephen Baker, was a member of the Franciscan Friars, Third Order Regulars, Province of the Immaculate Conception, which is based in Hollidaysburg, Blair County. He killed himself in 2013.
Assigned for a time to work at Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown, investigators said Baker is accused of molesting 80 children there. Despite allegations of abuse, he continued to be assigned duties — including leading overnight retreats across the country — that investigators say put hundreds of children in danger.
The state Attorney General’s office Tuesday announced that church officials who gave Baker those assignments — Giles A. Schinelli, 73, Robert J. D’Aversa, 69, and Anthony M. Criscitelli, 61 — have each been charged with endangering the welfare of children and conspiracy.
“These men knew there was a child predator in their organization. Yet they continued to put him in positions where he had countless opportunities to prey upon children,” said Attorney General Kathleen Kane, who announced the charges
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