Stephen P. Baker
Brother Stephen P. Baker was a Third Order Regular Franciscan brother of the Province of the Immaculate Conception. Brother Baker spent time as a teacher, baseball coach and athletic trainer at high schools across the country. He began his career at Holy Trinity and James Barry-Robinson High School and Home for Boys in Norfolk, VA in the 1970s. He spent a short time in 1978 at JFK High School in Youngstown, OH and moved on to St. Patrick’s in Inver Grove Heights, MN in 1977 where he served until 1981. His whereabouts are unknown from 1981-1983.
St. Mary’s Preparatory High School in Orchard Lake, MI was Baker’s next stop in 1983 where he allegedly abused at least seven students. Brother Baker returned to JFK High School in August of 1985 where there were at least 18 alleged victims. Baker also spent time at St. Mary’s Middle School in Youngstown. From 1992-2000, Baker was assigned to Bishop McCourt High School in Johnstown, PA where more than 15 survivors came forward after allegations broke in January 2013.
Brother Baker allegedly abused dozens, if not hundreds, of boys and girls. He used his position as a teacher and coach to tell athletes they needed a massage to prevent injuries, and then proceeded to rub them down with oils, including their genitals. Baker also spent time from 2000-2011 at St. Bernardine Monastery in Newry, PA; St. Joseph Friary in Hollidaysburg, PA and Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, PA.
By the end of January 2013, more than 80 former students had come forward with allegations of sexual abuse by Baker. Brother Stephen Baker committed suicide on January 26, 2013.
Assignment History:
- 1970s: Holy Trinity, Norfolk, VA
- 1977 – 1981: St. Patrick’s, Inver Grove Heights, MN
- 1978 – 1978: JFK High School, Youngstown, OH
- 1981 – 1983: The Marist College, Washington D.C., DC
- 1983 – 1986: St. Mary’s Preparatory High School, Orchard Lake, MI
- 1986 – 1992: JFK High School, Warren, OH
- 1993 – 2001: Bishop McCort High School, Johnstown, PA
- 2001 – 2003: St. Bernardine Monastery, Newark, PA
- 2003 – 2006: Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, PA
- 2004 – 2010: St. Joseph Friary, Hollidaysburg, PA
- 2006 – 2010: Augustinian Friaries, Malvern, PA
- 2006 – 2012: Malvern Preparatory School for Boys, Malvern, PA
- 2012: Saxony Hall (Monastery), Rosemont, PA Villanova University, Villanova, PA