New child sex abuse lawsuit filed against Catholic teacher

Alleged predator is now touring with “Sesame Street Live”

Victim’s dad will speak publicly for the 1st time (anonymously)

Despite offender’s “inappropriate” deeds, nuns kept him at school

SNAP prods 'anyone with info' about accused to “call police ASAP”

WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at sidewalk news conference, a young woman’s dad, her attorney and clergy child sex abuse victims will disclose and discuss:
-- a new child sex abuse and cover up lawsuit against a former Catholic school teacher, and
-- evidence that church and school officials knew of his “inappropriate” actions, yet let him keep working at a parochial school.

It’s the first time this woman and her family are speaking publicly and the first time this alleged child molester is being sued.

WHEN
Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 1pm

WHERE
Outside the Cook County Court House in Daley Center (next to the Picasso statue, near corner of Washington and Dearborn) in downtown Chicago

WHO
The young victim’s father, and two victims of child sexual abuse who belong to a support group, SNAP, Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org) and the attorney filing the lawsuit.

WHY
In 1998-1999, the victim was a 10-11 year old who attended a summer camp at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School (3737 W. 99th Street, 773.881.6500). She met theater coach Markus Luttrell at the school’s theater camp. Lutrell started calling the victim his “favorite” and his “little angel,” sending her emails expressing his “love” for her. He began holding her hand and expressing sexual feelings for her.

In the summer of 2004, Lutrell took her alone from the camp to her home (parents were not there), causing concern among school employees. School officials reprimanded him but still let him teach and coach. The lawsuit charges that Mother McAuley officials worked to “separate the two” while the victim was still a student. Her parents were never notified of the interactions between Luttrell and the girl.

From 2005 through 2007, Luttrell sexually violated the girl.

Luttrell is currently on tour with “Sesame Street Live: 1-2-3 Imagine” as head carpenter. The show opens Thursday, 2/25, at the Nokia Theatre in Dallas. Luttrell is a member of the International Association of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 260, based in New York (212-730-1770 or 7809).

http://www.iatse-intl.org/shows/fa_123.html

Defendants in the lawsuit include Mother McAuley school and the group of nuns which operates it, the Maryland-based Sisters of Mercy and their regional headquarters in Omaha (402 393 8225). The lawsuit is being filed in Cook County Court and seeks unspecified damages.

The victim is now 22 and lives in a Chicago suburb and is represented by Attorneys Marc Pearlman 773-368-0142 and Jeff Anderson 612 817 8665.

CONTACT
Barbara Blaine, SNAP President and Founder, 312-399-4747, Barbara Dorris, SNAP Outreach Director, 314-503-0003, David Clohessy, SNAP National Director, 314-566-9790