DETROIT – A woman claims she was molested by her basketball coach while she attended the now-closed St. Bede Catholic School in Southfield.
Marlene Galea, who was Marlene Veres when she attended the school between 1989-1991, says John Patrick Kiley molested her in the so-called cage, which was the room where the basketballs were kept, in his car and in her home. She says the abuse began when she was in 5th grade and continued until she left the school in 8th grade.
"I trusted him. My mom trusted him. He was a friend, a friend of the family," said Galea.
Galea says coach Kiley's advances and their sexual relationship was constant and unrelenting. She said it has greatly affected her life.
"I have two young daughters that I look at today and if this ever happened to them, it just ... it hurts," she said.
Kiley is still employed by the Archdiocese of Detroit. He is the principal at Holy Redeemer Catholic Elementary School in southwest Detroit.
Local 4 went to his home on Thursday but there was no answer.
In a statement Thursday, an Archdiocese spokesman said "these are serious allegations" and Kiley has been placed on administrative leave while the matter is investigated.
"I can't believe he is still in the Catholic school system. I can't believe it," Galea said.
She has filed a lawsuit. She said she is most upset about when her sister suspected something and reported it to the school, the school just transferred Kiley out of the school. Her mother was fired from her janitorial position at the school, too.
The alleged abuse happened when Michigan law had a statute of limitations on child sexual abuse. No charges are pending.
-- St. Bede has since closed.