Alleged Abuse Victim Speaks Out
By: Jim Madalinsky
Updated: January 19, 2013
JOHNSTOWN, CAMBRIA COUNTY - Earlier this week we told about a Franciscan Brother facing allegations of child sex abuse. Brother Stephen Baker, who now lives near Hollidaysburg, has had former students from both John F. Kennedy High School in Ohio and Bishop McCort in Johnstown claim they were abused by the teacher.
Saturday one of those alleged victims spoke out.
40 year-old Michael Munno says the pain allegedly caused by Brother Stephen Baker has been replaced with guilt.
"First of all I want to apologize to the boys at Bishop McCort who were victimized by this monster. If we'd have done something at Kennedy it probably wouldn't have transpired here," Alleged Abuse Victim Michael Munno says.
Munno claims Brother Baker assaulted him multiple times throughout his high school career, and by speaking out, he hopes others continue to come forward.
"That's what we hoped that more people would come out and get the help that they need," Munno says.
Since holding a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Robert Hoatson, President of the advocacy group Road to Recovery, says 25 people including 10 former Bishop McCort students have come forward.
"We're getting people calling from Johnstown and from Youngstown saying I thought I was the only one," Hoastson says.
Brother Stephen Baker joined the staff at Bishop McCort in the late 90's.
A statement by the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese's says they received a report of alleged abuse by Baker in 2011, and he has since had no contact with children, and the proper authorities were alerted.
Dr. Hoatson says that action wasn't enough.
"Did they go before the cameras and say we want all victims of Bishop McCort HS and Brother Stephen Baker to come forward so we can get you healed," Hoatson says.
As of Saturday no charges have been brought against Brother Baker. According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, the statue of limitations to file charges until the victim's 50th birthday.
Saturday one of those alleged victims spoke out.
40 year-old Michael Munno says the pain allegedly caused by Brother Stephen Baker has been replaced with guilt.
"First of all I want to apologize to the boys at Bishop McCort who were victimized by this monster. If we'd have done something at Kennedy it probably wouldn't have transpired here," Alleged Abuse Victim Michael Munno says.
Munno claims Brother Baker assaulted him multiple times throughout his high school career, and by speaking out, he hopes others continue to come forward.
"That's what we hoped that more people would come out and get the help that they need," Munno says.
Since holding a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Robert Hoatson, President of the advocacy group Road to Recovery, says 25 people including 10 former Bishop McCort students have come forward.
"We're getting people calling from Johnstown and from Youngstown saying I thought I was the only one," Hoastson says.
Brother Stephen Baker joined the staff at Bishop McCort in the late 90's.
A statement by the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese's says they received a report of alleged abuse by Baker in 2011, and he has since had no contact with children, and the proper authorities were alerted.
Dr. Hoatson says that action wasn't enough.
"Did they go before the cameras and say we want all victims of Bishop McCort HS and Brother Stephen Baker to come forward so we can get you healed," Hoatson says.
As of Saturday no charges have been brought against Brother Baker. According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, the statue of limitations to file charges until the victim's 50th birthday.
