January 06, 2011|By Yeganeh June Torbati, The Baltimore Sun
According to the Hartford Courant, the Archdiocese of Baltimore turned over all complaints against Brett — 15 since 1972 — to prosecutors. Those complaints became the basis for two arrest warrants issued for Brett in 1999. He was charged with custodial child abuse and second-degree sexual offense, but the charges were eventually withdrawn.
In 2002, reporters from the Courant found Brett on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten, largely secluded and with little company other than his dog, Joy. In the weeks leading up to his death, according to the Courant, Brett had been living in Martinique under an alias, and he died at the island's main hospital.
Frank Dingle, director of the Maryland branch of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, an advocacy group, said his group has counted about 30 individuals locally who say they were abused by Brett. Most of them, he said, were students at Calvert Hall and met Brett there.
David Clohessy, national director of the survivors network, said he feels "sadness and frustration" that officials who helped Brett evade responsibility have not yet been brought to justice. He urged the Archdiocese of Baltimore to reach out to Martinique officials to determine if Brett abused children there.
As of 2005, school leaders at Calvert Hall said that at least 14 alumni had come forward with allegations against Brett. Officials from the school did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
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For help
•The Maryland branch of Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests urges victims of sexual abuse to reach out to the organization for counseling services. To do so, contact Frank Dingle at 410-744-2398.
•The Archdiocese of Baltimore urges anyone who suspects child sexual abuse involving Laurence Brett or any clergy or other church personnel to contact civil authorities and the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection hot line at 1-866-417-7469.
