Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Baltimore Catholic school, teacher sued over sex abuse case

Baltimore Catholic school, teacher sued over sex abuse case

Listen to this article

A class-action has been filed against a Baltimore Catholic school and a teacher charged with .

Attorney Hassan Murphy tells news outlets that 27-year-old Ryan Penalver had engaged in inappropriate communications with other St. Frances Academy students. Penalver is accused of abusing a 15-year-old girl. The lawsuit says he used his school email account to prey on her.

Baltimore police spokesman Jeremy Silbert says Penalver was arrested May 11 following a Child Protective Services notification. Police say no other students have come forward.

Principal Deacon Curtis Turner said he couldn’t comment on the suit. Penalver no longer works at the school. It’s unclear whether he has a lawyer.

The lawsuit also names the , which says it doesn’t have anything to do with the school.