3 Accused in This Religious Order
Maria Michael Garner
Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth in Morris Township, NJ. Accused in a lawsuit filed 11/24/2020 of sexually abusing a girl in her office at Immaculate Conception School several times a week, beginning in 1969 when the girl was age 8. Garner was a teacher and administrator at the school. Also accused, along with Sr. Alice Bernadette, C.S., of taking the girl in 1971 to Rev. William Dowd, and restraining the girl while the priest raped her. Dowd denied the allegations. Garner died 12/17/2014.
Sr. Eileen Shaw
Accused in 1994 of sexually abusing a girl, beginning in 1968 when the girl was age 15 and continuing until 1992. Shaw's alleged victim said that the nun plied her with drugs and alcohol. Shaw's Order provided therapy and settled with the woman for $70K. Shaw was removed as principal of an elementary school. In 2004 she was working as administrator of the Caritas Community in Jersey City, a retirement home for nuns. In 1/2019 she reportedly was still with the Sisters of Charity and restricted from outside ministry. Shaw's accuser also alleges sexual abuse by her uncle, Fr. Daniel Millard, for 8 years beginning when she was age 5.
Sr. Alice Bernadette Hearon
Sister of Charity of St. Elizabeth in Morris Township, NJ. Entered the convent in 1933. Taught at parochial schools in Jersey City, Morristown, Paterson, Elizabeth, Montclair, Hasbrouck Heights, and East Orange. Taught 1987-1988 at a school in Rockland MA. Staff member 1978-1993 at Mother Seton Residence in Montclair NJ. Retired in 2004 to Saint Anne Villa. Died 9/7/2011, age 97. Accused in a lawsuit filed in 2020, along with Sr. Maria Michael Garner, C.S., of restraining a 10-year-old girl in 1971 while Rev. William Dowd raped her. Dowd denied the allegations. (He has been the subject of multiple allegations of the sexual abuse of minors.)