News Summary
A federal appeals court has reinstated a lawsuit by two adult victims of former Boston Police officer Patrick Rose, who was convicted of child sexual abuse. The plaintiffs allege that their Fourteenth Amendment right to bodily integrity was violated due to negligence from city and state officials. The case now moves forward against the Boston Police Department, the city of Boston, the police union, and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. The ruling allows victims to seek accountability for the abuse facilitated by the actions of authorities.
Boston Federal Appeals Court Revives Lawsuit Linked to Patrick Rose’s Sexual Abuse Victims
A federal appeals court has reinstated a lawsuit filed by two adult victims of former Boston Police officer Patrick Rose, who has been convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse. The plaintiffs claim their Fourteenth Amendment right to bodily integrity was violated by city and state officials who they allege acted negligently, allowing the abuse to continue for years. The case now moves forward against the Boston Police Department (BPD), the city of Boston, the police union, and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).
The victims, identified in court documents as John Doe and Jane Doe, assert that the defendants’ actions increased the risk of sexual abuse, contradicting the federal district court’s earlier ruling which dismissed the case. The district court had concluded that the defendants could not be held liable under the state-created danger doctrine and claimed the accusations were insufficient to demonstrate that their actions directly caused harm.
In its recent ruling, the federal appeals court stated that the plaintiffs had provided reasonable allegations that specific actions by the defendants contributed to the peril faced by the victims.
Details on Patrick Rose’s Crimes
Patrick Rose, who served as president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, pleaded guilty to >20 counts of child rape and sexual assault in 2022, spanning a period of 27 years from 1990 to 2017. He was ultimately sentenced to 10 to 13 years in prison. Rose’s known victims include John Doe, who was aged between 8 and 14 during his abuse from 1990 to 1997, and Jane Doe, who was between 5 and 14 from 1990 to 1999. Additionally, Rose is suspected of abusing four other minor family members between 1990 and 2020.
Timeline of Allegations and Investigations
The troubling allegations against Rose date back as early as 1995, when DCF received a report regarding his abuse of John Doe, leading to an investigation by the BPD. Initially arrested for indecent assault and battery on a minor, Rose faced a series of administrative measures but was ultimately placed on administrative duty without facing serious consequences. A restraining order against him was quickly lifted after two months.
Despite a sustained complaint from the BPD regarding the sexual abuse, Rose was reinstated to full duty by 1998 without sanctions. Rose continued his police career for an additional 20 years, retiring in 2018. In 2020, John Doe re-reported the abuse, prompting a grand jury indictment against Rose. Witness testimonies during the subsequent proceedings revealed that Rose’s abusive behavior had heightened after 1995, largely due to inaction by the authorities.
Outcome of Previous Legal Proceedings
Efforts to prosecute Rose in the past were complicated when the state dismissed a criminal complaint against him seven months before his scheduled pre-trial probation ended, citing a lack of cooperation from victims. A subsequent city report confirmed that the earlier investigation into Rose’s actions was inadequate, ultimately allowing him to continue his pattern of abuse.
Implications of the Lawsuit
The recent ruling by the appeals court overturns the previous dismissal and allows for the victims’ case to proceed. Their attorney emphasizes the lawsuit’s intent to hold accountable those responsible for enabling Rose’s prolonged misconduct, as well as aiming to protect potential future victims of similar assaults. The outcomes from this lawsuit could have significant implications not only for the victims but for police and child protection practices in the Boston area.
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