Former Gilman School chaplain pleads guilty to 1970s sexual abuse in Baltimore

A former chaplain and faculty member at Baltimore's Gilman School pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a boy in the city during the 1970s, The Baltimore Banner reported. The Rev. Laurence LaPointe, 81, admitted to fourth-degree sex offense and assault charges in Baltimore Circuit Court.

LaPointe served as chaplain at the private all-boys school in Roland Park from 1966 to 1970 and returned as a faculty member from 1973 to 1977. He now lives in Putnam, Connecticut, where he most recently was pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Willimantic.

Circuit Judge Charles Dorsey III commended the survivor for coming forward and expressed hope for their peace. LaPointe will spend five years on probation following his guilty plea.

The Diocese of Norwich placed LaPointe on leave after a Connecticut investigation into abuse claims from the 1970s. The diocese maintains a zero-tolerance policy for clerics found to have abused minors, according to Bishop Richard Reidy.

Gilman School leaders expressed sympathy for survivors and pledged support for law enforcement and healing efforts. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General prosecuted the case.