Penn State Scandal: Sandusky Allegedly Confessed to Victim's Mother, Police Ignored Admission
Police allegedly ignored a confession from former assistant football coach at Penn State, Jerry Sandusky, who is charged with sexually assaulting eight boys.
In May 1998, victim No. 6 allegedly informed his mother of a shower he took with Sandusky in the boys’ locker room, according to Sara Ganim of the Patriot News.
The victim described to his mother how Sandusky lathered him and then bear-hugged him.
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The mother reported the sexual harassment to the police. Six weeks later, police eavesdropped on Sandusky while he confessed his misdoings.
“I understand. I was wrong. I wish I could get forgiveness. I know I won’t get it from you. I wish I were dead,” Sandusky told the mother, according to the Patriot News.
“Jerry Sandusky admitted to my face, he admitted it,” said the victim’s mother.
“They dropped the ball,” she added, referencing the police’s failure to pursue the confession.
Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach to renowned head coach Joe Paterno, is charged with the sexual assault of eight boys over a period of 15 years from 1994 to 2009.
He is suspected to have abused the boys during his participation in The Second Mile, a statewide nonprofit organization that helps at-risk kids. Sandusky founded The Second Mile in 1977.
Top officials Tim Curley, the athletic director, and Gary Schultz, vice president for finance and business, are also being charged with perjury and failing to alert police of Sandusky’s sexual misdoings. The two stepped down from their posts at Penn State Sunday.
Curley and Schultz reportedly ignored rumors of Sandusky’s inappropriate behavior.
In March 2002, a graduate assistant at the university notified Paterno he witnessed Sandusky sexually assaulting a nude male victim in the locker room showers.
“As Coach Sandusky was retired from our coaching staff at the time, I referred the matter to university administrators,” said Paterno.
Curley and Schultz took no action after hearing of the assault, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly. Paterno is not a suspect in the case.
Although many students express support for beloved Paterno, others remain critical, suggesting the head coach should have pursued the Sandusky rumors further.
In a statement issued Sunday night, Paterno said he is "deeply saddened" by the recent sexual assault scandal that rocked the state school’s pristine reputation.
“If this is true we were all fooled, along with scores of professionals trained in such things, and we grieve for the victims and their families. They are in our prayers,” Paterno said.
Paterno urged all Penn Staters to not let the scandal shake their faith in the university.
“I understand that people are upset and angry," Paterno said, "but let's be fair and let the legal process unfold.”
News agencies announced Tuesday Paterno might be asked to step down from his post as head coach. On Wednesday morning, ABC news confirmed these reports to be premature.
“No one has asked Joe to step down,” said Paterno’s son, Scott Paterno, to reporters Tuesday afternoon.
The Board of Trustees will hold an emergency meeting Friday, and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett will attend.
