Fr. Michael Stephen Baker
At least 23 accusers. Told Cardinal Mahony in 1986 that he had sexually abused two boys. Sent to treatment in NM, returned to ministry in nine more parishes; continued to abuse many more children. The two brothers settled in 2000 for $1.3M for abuse 1984-1999, beginning when they were ages 5 and 7. Baker continued to abuse the boys after the family moved to Mexico in 1986, despite being ‘monitored’ by the archdiocese. He would fly the boys to CA and AZ. Removed from ministry. Laicized in 12/2000. Arrested in 2003, charged with over 12 offenses against boys ; charges dropped due to CA Supreme Court ruling. Arrested again in 1/2006. Included in a 12/2006 $60M settlement involving 22 priests. Also included in a 7/2007 massive $660M settlement. Pleaded guilty in 12/2007 to abuse of two boys. Sentenced to 10 years and 4 months in prison. New suit in 6/2010. Released on parole in 10/2011. Arrested for probation violations in 11/2011 and in 9/2012. Some personnel files released in 1/2013. Settlement with 4 in 3/2013 for $9.9M. Suit filed in 2/2020 v the archdiocese and Cardinal Mahony related to Baker’s abuse of a boy, ages 6-10, in 1993-1997 at St. Columbkille in South Los Angeles. Confessed to abuse of children in the U.S., Mexico, Thailand and Nepal.
- LA Times 12.01.02
- KTLA 01.20.06
- National Public Radio 04.23.10
- Al Dia 06.16.20
- Sacramento Bee 11.04.11
- Collection of Articles prior to 01.01.12
- Corona del Mar Today 09.11.12
- Orange County Weekly 09.11.12
- Daily Pilot 09.11.12
- The Patch 09.12.12
- LA Daily News 10.12.12
- Huffington Post (AP) 01.21.13
- LA Times 01.22.13
- Santa Barbara Independent 01.24.13
- LA Times 02.04.13
- CBS 12 02.06.13
- Worthy Adversary 02.07.13
- BBC News 03.12.13
- Democrat and Chronicle 03.12.13
- CNN 03.12.13
- LA Times 03.12.13
- Grand Forks Herald 03.12.13
- NBC News 03.12.13
- LA Times 03.12.13
- LA Times 03.14.13
- CBS Los Angeles 03.14.13
- NBC Southern California 03.14.13
- LA Times 03.15.13
- National Catholic Reporter 03.28.13
- LA Times 12.01.13
- Raw Story 12.03.13
- Beach Reporter 11.09.17
- Telemundo 52 07.25.19
- Los Angeles Times 02.12.20
- National Catholic Reporter accessed 03.05.23
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