(Update) Child abuse scandal in Sheriff Paul Babeu’s past

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

ABC15 in Phoenix reported on child abuse and sexual abuse at the DeSisto boarding school in Massachusetts when Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu was its headmaster. Babeu's own sister, Lucy Babeu, stated that Paul Babeu was having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 17 year old student at the school. Child abuse scandal in Sheriff Paul Babeu's past. Bombshell allegations, right?

Apparently not for the media villagers in Arizona. In searching to see who has picked up this story, I find only the Phoenix New Times referenced it in a blog post. Who knew that child abuse and student-teacher sex is not "newsworthy" to the media villagers in Arizona? And what does this say about their judgment?

ABC15 in Phoenix aired follow-up reports yesterday. Sheriff Babeu responds to ABC15 investigation:

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu says he never had a sexual relationship with a student at the DeSisto boarding school in Massachusetts where he served as Headmaster.

Babeu’s attorney sent ABC15 a statement, claiming it was signed by the former student.

In that statement the former student denies an inappropriate sexual relationship with Babeu.

The ABC15 Investigators cannot verify the authenticity of the signed letter.

It was not addressed, dated or notarized.

The student, who we are not naming, also has not responded to our requests for comment.

The ABC15 Investigators have spoken with several former DeSisto students.

They confirm Paul Babeu did have a relationship with a 17-year-old student at the school.

“It was widely known but not discussed,” said former student Holli Nielsen.

“Everybody knew about it,” said another former student, Melissa Burech. “He broke every rule to be with that student.”

Burech was a student at DeSisto the entire time Babeu was Headmaster.

She lives in the Valley now and contacted us after seeing our investigation on allegations of abuse at the school.

She says the abuse got worse once Babeu arrived.

“Definitely. Everything was more strict, more people were cornered. The punishments were harsher," she said.

The State of Massachusetts launched an investigation into the abuse allegations.

* * *

State records don't specifically name Babeu, and he was never accused of participating in the abuse, but students say he was aware of what was going on and Burech confirmed, “He was there for all of it. He was part of all the meetings.”

The ABC15 Investigators also found the school was operating without a license while Babeu was in charge.

State records show lack of licensing violated the law, since 30-percent of students had “special needs."

ABC15 also reported Fallout after Babeu allegations including a call for him to step down:

Arizona Senator Ron Gould, a Republican, is calling  for his opponent, Sheriff Paul Babeu to resign as Sheriff and drop out of the race for Congress after an ABC15 Investigation uncovered allegations of physical and sexual abuse at a boarding school where Babeu was once Headmaster and Executive Director.

* * *

Since our story first aired, we have heard from about a dozen additional former students from across the country. One of them lives right here in the Valley and said she spent much of her time in the corner.

Melissa Burech was already attending the DeSisto School when Babeu came on as Headmaster.

Burech refers to her time there as “the worst experience of my life.”

Babeu ran the school from 1999-2001.

Burech told ABC15 conditions at the school worsened after Babeu took over.

* * *

Melissa, several other students, and Babeu's own sister, Lucy tell the ABC15 Investigators that Babeu carried on a relationship with a 17-year-old male student at the school while he was Headmaster.

“Babeu abused his power and took this student off campus way more than a student was allowed to be off campus,” according to Burech. “He broke every rule to be with that student.”

“I hope Arizona gets to see the real Paul Babeu,” she said.

Not if ABC15 is the only news outlet pursuing this investigative report. The rest of Arizona's media villagers have yet to pick up the story. One has to question why.