Three Franciscan Friars were arraigned this morning in Blair County for their involvement and cover-up of abuse by Brother Stephen Baker.

Giles A. Schinelli, 73, Robert J. D’Aversa, 69, and Anthony M. Criscitelli, 61, were all arrested Friday morning and arraigned before Judge Paula Aigner in Hollidaysburg.

Unsecured bail was set for each of them at $75,000. This means both Schinelli and D’Aversa can go back to their residences in Florida, and Criscitelli can go back to his in Minnesota.  All of them must be supervised and are required to report to their parole officers on a weekly basis.  Judge Aigner said this may be through a phone call or video conference.

After each were read their Miranda rights, they were taken to central booking across the street at the Blair County Courthouse for fingerprinting and mugshots.

A preliminary hearing is set for April 14th at 9:30 a.m. at the Blair County Courthouse.

None of the friars had a prior criminal history. Before he was arrested, Fr. Shinelli was Director and part of the staff at San Pedro Retreat Center in Winter Park Florida.  Fr. D’Aversa was a pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Mount Dora, Florida. Fr. Criscitelli was a pastor at the Church of St. Bridget Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.