PITTSBURGH – Two young women who were molested by a parishioner of a Glassport church have filed suit against both the church and its community food bank, charging that their collective negligence led to their being sexually assaulted.
Jane Does 1-2 filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on March 30 versus River City Church AG (formerly known as “Glassport Assembly of God”) and Glassport Community Outreach, Inc., both of Glassport.
“The perpetrator [Dominic Muscante] was a parishioner of River City. River City ran a community food bank out of their location on 5th Street in Glassport. River City put the Perpetrator in a position of power in the food bank. The perpetrator consistently gave special attention to young female parishioners, including Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2,” the suit says.
“The special attention included but is not limited to: Giving them tickets to sporting events; buying them expensive clothing, including undergarments; buying them personal cell phones; and taking them on overnight trips, including to his home. There were several allegations made to members of River City regarding the perpetrator behaving inappropriately with young female parishioners.”
The suit adds that because of the allegations regarding the perpetrator’s inappropriate behavior, the River City food bank was moved to 516 Monongahela Avenue, Glassport and began operating as “Glassport Community Outreach.”
“Jane Doe 1 was sexually abused by the perpetrator from approximately age 6 through 19. Jane Doe 2 was sexually abused by the perpetrator from approximately age 13 through 15. Upon information and belief, prior to the perpetrator’s inappropriate behavior, at least one additional employee of River City was removed from River City for inappropriate behavior with a child. Upon information and belief, none of the defendants ever reported the perpetrator to the authorities. Defendants actual or constructive knowledge of the perpetrator’s history of sexual misconduct was known to defendants prior to the cessation of plaintiffs’ abuse by perpetrator,” the suit states.
“Defendants took no steps to protect plaintiffs or other children from the perpetrator. Defendants’ response to actual or constructive knowledge of perpetrator’s history of sexual misconduct was inadequate under the circumstances and allowed plaintiffs’ abuse by perpetrator to continue. In 2022, the perpetrator pled guilty in the Allegheny Court of Common Pleas to sexual offenses related to plaintiffs. Because of the defendants’ actions and omissions herein, the plaintiffs were sexually abused, suffering severe and permanent injuries.”
Among other negligent failures, the plaintiffs say the defendants failed to establish adequate child abuse prevention policies, procedures and practices; failed to make mandatory and adhere (and ensure adherence) to such policies, procedures and practices; failed to adequately screen and supervise all those with access to children, including perpetrator; failed to retain, hire, train and supervise agents/employees with regard to the prevention of child sexual abuse and failed to adequately monitor and supervise the perpetrator and plaintiffs.
For counts of negligence, gross negligence and recklessness, the plaintiffs are seeking, jointly and severally, damages in excess of the mandatory arbitration limits, including punitive damages, in addition to any other relief this Honorable Court deems appropriate.
The plaintiffs are represented by Nathaniel L. Foote and Veronica M. Hubbard of Andreozzi & Foote, in Harrisburg.
The defendants have not yet obtained legal counsel.
Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas case GD-23-004501
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com