Francis McGrath Clergy Abuse
The former student is suing St. James Church and Red Bank Catholic, claiming abuse from one priest with a history of allegations.
RED BANK, NJ – A former student who attended Red Bank Catholic School in the 1980s was sexually abused by a priest who had a history of similar complaints, according to a lawsuit filed in the Superior Court of New Jersey.
Per the July 29 complaint filed in Mercer County, Francis McGrath abused the student (referred to only as initials B.T.) in 1982 and 1983. The accused abused multiple children while serving at St. James Church and Red Bank Catholic School, the suit reads.
The defendants – listed as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton, St. James Church in Red Bank and Red Bank High School – were sued on six counts, including civil conspiracy and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The suit demands a trial by jury.
Plaintiff B.T. is seeking punitive damages, citing “permanent emotional, psychological and psychiatric injuries, resulting in pain, suffering, embarrassment, humiliation, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life and life’s pleasures”.