The Latest: 3 religious leaders defended in abuse case

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. – The Latest on a Pennsylvania hearing in the case of three former Franciscan leaders charged with child endangerment for allegedly knowing a friar had been accused of molesting more than 100 children (all times local):

6:45 p.m.

A Pennsylvania state investigator has testified that three former Franciscan leaders knew a friar had been accused of child sex abuse before he was allowed to hold jobs during which he allegedly molested more than 100 children.

Giles Schinelli, Robert D’Aversa and Anthony Criscitelli are charged with child endangerment and conspiracy. A hearing was held Thursday to determine whether they will stand trial. It was continued until April 27.

Summing up the state’s case, the prosecutor said that Brother Stephen Baker molested all the kids because the three defendants “put him in a position to molest them.”

Lawyers for the three men defended their supervision of Baker.

When they were charged last month, Schinelli was a pastoral administrator of a Florida Catholic retreat; D’Aversa was a Florida pastor; and Criscitelli was a pastor in Minneapolis.

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11:20 a.m.

A former student who says he was sexually abused at a Pennsylvania high school is testifying at a hearing for three Franciscan friars charged with allowing a suspected sexual predator to hold jobs where he molested more than 100 children.

Thursday’s hearing will determine whether Robert D’Aversa, Anthony Criscitelli and Giles Schinelli stand trial on child endangerment and conspiracy charges.

The three successively headed a Franciscan order in Pennsylvania from 1986 to 2010. They assigned and supervised Brother Stephen Baker. He killed himself in 2013.

The former student told the judge Thursday that Baker molested him and other student-athletes at Bishop McCort High School in Johnstown during rubdowns that were meant to stretch out their muscles.

Schinelli’s lawyer says he’ll plead not guilty. Lawyers for the others haven’t commented.

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10:20 a.m.

Three Franciscan friars face a hearing on charges they allowed a suspected sexual predator to teach at a Pennsylvania high school and hold other jobs where he molested more than 100 children, including in Ohio.

Thursday’s hearing will determine whether Robert D’Aversa, Anthony Criscitelli, and Giles Schinelli stand trial on child endangerment and conspiracy charges.

The three successively headed a Franciscan order in Pennsylvania from 1986 to 2010. They assigned and supervised the order’s members, including Brother Stephen Baker. Authorities say Baker molested scores of children. He killed himself in 2013.

When they were charged, Schinelli was a pastoral administrator in Winter Park, Florida; D’Aversa was a pastor in Mount Dora, Florida; and Criscitelli was a pastor in Minneapolis.

Schinelli’s lawyer says he’ll plead not guilty. Lawyers for the others haven’t commented.

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1:30 a.m.

Three Franciscan friars face a hearing on charges they allowed a suspected sexual predator to teach at a Pennsylvania high school and hold other jobs where he molested more than 100 children.

Thursday’s hearing will determine whether Robert D’Aversa, Anthony Criscitelli, and Giles Schinelli stand trial on child endangerment and conspiracy charges.

The three successively headed a Franciscan order in Pennsylvania from 1986 to 2010. They assigned and supervised the order’s members, including Brother Stephen Baker. Authorities say Baker molested scores of children, most at a high school. Baker killed himself in 2013.

At the time they were charged, Schinelli was a pastoral administrator in Winter Park, Florida; D’Aversa was a pastor in Mount Dora, Florida; and Criscitelli was a pastor in Minneapolis.

Schinelli’s lawyer says he’ll plead not guilty. Lawyers for the other two haven’t commented.