Despite multiple reports, Lynn Seibel was allowed to remain among children and to abuse Plaintiff Doe 3
Child predator lived and taught kids at the private school for over 10 years
(Faribault, MN) – Even though three separate reports of inappropriate sexual conduct with boys were made to officials, including the headmaster and two board members, the elite private school Shattuck-St. Mary’s allowed teacher and dorm parent Lynn Seibel to continue his sexual exploitation of students at the school. Today, attorneys filed suit in Rice County District Court on behalf of a man sexually abused by Seibel from 2001-2003 when he was a student at Shattuck-St. Mary’s. This survivor bravely stepped forward to confront his abuser and the institution that protected Seibel.
After child pornography was found on Seibel’s computer in 2003, the actor-teacher was removed from the school and no reports were made to law enforcement. Instead, Shattuck-St. Mary’s consulted their attorneys and decided the pornography didn’t warrant a report to authorities. Seibel is currently facing multiple charges of sexual offenses in Rice County after an investigation was opened in 2012 when reports of sexual abuse were made to Olmsted County officials. Multiple survivors have already come forward alleging abuse by Seibel during his 11 year career with the school.
“We praise this courageous survivor for speaking up and out in bringing this lawsuit against Shattuck” said attorney Jeff Anderson. “This unfolding story closely parallels Penn State and the failings of the Kansas City Bishop with Shawn Ratigan. The three year window in the newly enacted Child Victims Act allows this survivor and many others to finally have access to the courtroom and bring to light Shattuck-St. Mary’s failings in child protection and gives them an opportunity to change their ways and break the cycle of silence.”
After Seibel left Shattuck-St. Mary’s, he obtained a position in Rhode Island where he had access to children and later relocated to North Hollywood, California, where he landed bit roles in shows such as “The Big Bang Theory.”
The Child Victims Act was passed in May eliminating the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse survivors and opened a three year window for prior victims to come forward and hold their abusers and the institutions that may have allowed their abuse, accountable in court.
• The complaint is available under “Case Resources” at www.andersonadvocates.com
• MPR reported on Seibel and the failings of Shattuck-St. Mary’s this morning, read here: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/06/10/news/should-shattuck-st-marys-have-told-police-about-accused-teachers-child-pornography
Contact Jeff Anderson: Office/651.227.9990 Cell/612.817.8665
Contact Sarah Odegaard: Office/651-227.9990 Cell/612.616.4218