5 day forecast
Corbett predicts changes in reporting child abuse
Share with others:
Gov. Tom Corbett predicted Sunday morning the state could see a change before year's end in the law regarding the reporting of child abuse.
In a television interview on "Meet the Press," the governor opined that the law should be changed.
The comment was in reference to the determination by the state attorney general's office that former Penn State University head football coach Joe Paterno appears to have met the requirements of existing reporting regulations when he told his supervisor of a report he had received of potential sexual misconduct involving a child in an on-campus locker room. A grand jury in Harrisburg has charged former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky with sexual abuse of eight young boys, including two on campus.
Since then, two other college officials have been criminally charged with perjury and failing to report the abuse; Mr. Paterno was fired; and university President Graham Spanier resigned.
The governor was queried as to whether Mr. Paterno "did enough." Mr. Corbett, who was attorney general when the investigation into the case began, said the current attorney general has determined the law had been met. But, he said he believes the law should be changed and he would "not be surprised" if such a change is on the horizon before year's end.
In related news, several State College churches, including the church Mr. Sandusky attends, plan to hold a public prayer service this coming week for people affected by the child sex assault scandal at Penn State.
The Rev. Edwin Zeiders of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, which Mr. Sandusky has long attended, said Sunday the service will take place at Grace Lutheran Church on South Garner Street at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. Additional details are still being finalized but the service will be open to the public, Rev. Zeiders said.
Rev. Zeiders has asked journalists not to report on additional services held at St. Paul's, saying he would like to protect the privacy of church members.
First Published November 14, 2011 12:00 am
