Watch CBS News

Hotline Tips May Lead To More Priest Child Abuse Charges, Attorney General Says

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Attorney General Bruce Beemer says the grand jury may not be done charging individuals associated with child abuse in various Catholic dioceses.

Beemer, who just recently replaced the resigned Kathleen Kane as Attorney General, sat down with KDKA political editor on Friday afternoon

"As we have seen in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese case, we set up a tip-line after the public release of that report," said Beemer.

"We got hundreds of calls, many of which with information even though it may have been older, it provided us information into a window that's very important for us."

"We have come to learn in law enforcement, people who are pedophile abusers often that problem does not go away."

The hundreds of tips are being processed now.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

Delano:  "Might you see additional charges based on the information you are gathering?"

Beemer:  "We can't rule it out. We can't rule it out.  We want to get to the truth as much as we can, and if that truth allows evidence that presents prosecutable cases, then we will certainly go forward with that.

One problem -- Pennsylvania has a 30-year statute of limitations on filing criminal charges against  child sex abusers and a 20-year statute on barring victims from filing civil cases against those responsible for their abuse.

Beemer says he supports grand jury recommendations to change the law and support the victims

"It's important to us as law enforcement to stand on their side in terms of allowing them the opportunity to come forward and have some potential opportunities for redress."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.