Orphanage investigation finds no crimes, but abuse occurred
by Wilson Ring, The Associated Press
Posted Dec 14, 2020 5:52 pm EDT
Last Updated Dec 14, 2020 at 5:56 pm EDT
MONTPELIER, Vt. Vermont’s top law enforcement officer said Monday a two-year investigation into allegations of murder at a long-closed Burlington orphanage found no evidence of such crimes and the criminal investigation is over.
In releasing the report, Attorney General T.J. Donovan said Monday it is clear that children suffered while staying at St. Joseph’s Orphanage, which closed in 1974, and the Vermont law enforcement community failed to protect those children.
“It is clear clear that abuse did occur at St. Joseph’s Orphanage and that many children suffered,” Donovan said during an online news conference. “As I said, that when we have been prevented from conducting an investigation as a result of the statute of limitations, the harm incurred by many of the residents still resonates today.”