Sexual Abuse Allegations at Essex Catholic High School
Essex County, New Jersey
Founded: 1957
Location: Newark, NJ
Grades: 9 through 12
Essex Catholic High School was an all-male private school formerly run by the Congregation of Irish Christian Brothers and sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. The school was formally closed in 2003 due to lack of enrollment, and a few alumni tried to make a new Essex High School at a different location but the effort failed.
In 2017, the Irish Christian Brothers released a list of members who have been accused of serial child abuse. At least three have been assigned to Essex Catholic, including Br. Andrew Thomas Hewitt, the former principal.
Others accused include Br. Anthony Ferro, Br. William Hennessey, and Br. Jerome “Jerry” Heustis, who was a former choir director.
Br. Vincent Hanney, another former Essex teacher, was recently named in a civil lawsuit filed by an adult woman who says Hanney sexually abused her when she was a child who he was counseling.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse in New Jersey. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused in New Jersey, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those sexually abused by teachers, coaches, and administrators in New Jersey private schools now have legal options to get justice and compensation, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us. Our law firm offers free consultations and always works on a contingency basis.
Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or [email protected] to discuss your case today.