Ten years ago when Brother Stephen Baker worked at Bishop McCort, the same time when the alleged abuse is said to have taken place, Bishop McCort was a part of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Now, Bishop McCort functions as a private institution.

The decision was made once the non-diocesan members on the board of trustees at the school heard about the allegations against Baker last week.

Bishop McCort said they hope that the decision to hire an attorney will benefit their students and school as a whole, and ensure safety throughout.

They hope to provide closure and to help any victim of this alleged abuse.

In a statement sent to 6 News, the school said,

“Bishop McCort understands that’s sexual assault victims face tremendous trauma and that it can take ten years after the incident for them to report the assault. Any victim of such a horrific event must be embraced, counseled, and comforted in their time of pain.”

Bishop McCort has hire Eckert Seaman’s Kathleen Gallagher, a former prosecutor in the Allegany county District Attorney’s office to handle the investigation.