1960s-1970s

• 1960s: Abuse by priests, including Father James Porter, is hidden by the Catholic Church; the abuse spans across multiple states.
• 1962: Father Paul Shanley graduates from St. John’s Seminary with classmates who are later involved in abuse cases.
• 1970s: Widespread abuse by Father John Gallagher at St. Mary’s School in Lawrence, MA, reported by survivors to have occurred in front of other children.
• 1972: Altar boy Danny Croteau is murdered; years later, Father Richard Lavigne is implicated in his death.
• 1976: Andy Puglisi, Melanie McLaughlin’s friend, disappears from a public pool in Lawrence, MA. Wayne W. Chapman is suspected.

1980s-1990s

• 1983-1994: Bishop Timothy Harrington leads the Worcester Diocese, later accused of child abuse.
• 1991: Frank Fitzpatrick records Father James Porter’s admission of abuse; Porter’s crimes are exposed.
• Mid-1990s: Survivors begin to work with attorneys like Eric MacLeish who unsuccessfully attempts to draw media attention to their cases.

1998-1999

• 1998: Melanie begins investigating Andy’s disappearance, uncovering connections to organized networks of chid s*x abuse and clergy abuse.
• 1999: Journalist Judith Gaines follows Melanie’s investigation and publishes a series of articles in the Boston Globe.

2000-2005

• 2000: Paula Erickson, a therapist from the Bridgewater Treatment Center, discusses organized child s*x abuse networks, including members of the clergy, convicted s*x offenders and the North American Man Boy Love Organization, NAMBLA.
• January 6, 2002: The Boston Globe publishes a Pulitzer prize winning investigation revealing systemic abuse by Catholic priests.
• 2003: Last time records from the Catholic Church on abuse were released to the public in MA.
• 2005: A victim reports abuse by Bishop Weldon, organized with other priests; the report garners little attention.

2017-2021

• 2017: The Eagle Tribune reports on clergy abuse cases at St. Patrick’s and Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, MA.
• 2018-2020: Multiple survivors of Father Gallagher from St. Mary’s School receive settlements.
• 2021: Father Lavigne dies a day before a planned arrest for Danny Croteau’s murder. District Attorney’s press conference suggests Lavigne was responsible for the murder.

Present Day

Ongoing: Melanie McLaughlin continues to investigate clergy abuse cases and advocate for survivors, encouraging others to come forward and seeking justice for the abused and disappeared.

Characters

1. Melanie Perkins McLaughlin – Host of “Open Investigation”
   A journalist and podcast host determined to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of her childhood friend, Andy, and other cases of child abuse, trafficking, and clergy misconduct.
2. Andy Puglisi – Missing Childhood Friend
   Melanie’s childhood friend who disappeared in 1976. His case remains a focal point in Melanie’s investigation, especially as she uncovers broader issues of child trafficking and abuse in her community.
3. Eric MacLeish – Attorney for Clergy Abuse Survivors
   An attorney dedicated to representing survivors of clergy abuse, initially skeptical of the organized nature of abuse within the Church but eventually deeply involved in high-profile cases revealing systemic and organized CSA of children by the Catholic church. He was featured in the Academy Award winning film Spotlight, based on the Boston Globe’s investigation into widespread clergy abuse.
4. Ann Barrett Doyle – Founder of “Bishop Accountability”
   International database tracking clergy abuse. Advocate for transparency in clergy abuse cases, calling for grand jury investigations to reveal the systemic failures in the Massachusetts Catholic Church.
5. Father Thomas Curran – Accused Priest with Connections to Andy’s Case
   A priest with two accusations of abuse who was allegedly connected to an organized abuse network in Massachusetts. He has a cryptic conversation with Melanie, suggesting knowledge of child trafficking.
6. Paula Erickson – Therapist & Whistleblower
   A former therapist at Bridgewater Treatment Center, where she encountered individuals involved with organized abuse and trafficking, exposing alleged connections between NAMBLA and clergy members.
7. RC Stevens – Private Investigator and Former MA State Trooper
   Investigated potential organized pedophilia within clergy circles, notably the “Holy Eleven” group, a suspected ring of priests involved in trafficking and abuse and the Danny Croteau murder.
8. Father John Gallagher – Deceased Priest Accused of Extensive Abuse
   Accused posthumously of abusing dozens of children, primarily students at St. Mary’s School, and orchestrating group abuse sessions. His history of crimes connects him to a larger network of offenders.
9. Mitch Garabedian – High-Profile Attorney in Abuse Cases
   Lawyer for numerous clergy abuse survivors, known for his sensitivity and impact on his clients’ lives. His legal efforts have spotlighted the scale of clergy abuse within Massachusetts. Mitch was featured in the Academy Award winning film Spotlight, based on the Boston Globe’s investigation into widespread clergy abuse.

Victims and Survivors

1. Victim of Clergy Abuse At St. Mary’s
   One of the many students abused by Father Gallagher, her testimony exposes the routine and public nature of his predation on young children. The victim bravely shares a disturbing account of abuse and manipulation by Father Gallagher, testimony that is among the most detailed testimonies in the investigation.
2. “John Doe” #1 – Survivor of Organized Clergy Abuse
   His account includes disturbing encounters with clergy members in the Boston Archdiocese.
3. Danny Croteau – Victim of Father Richard Lavigne
   13 year-old altar boy murdered by Father Richard Lavigne who was posthumously ‘convicted’ by the District Attorney after a recorded incriminating statement.

Other Named Individuals

1. Father Richard Lavigne – Priest Accused in the “Holy Eleven” Network
   Allegedly involved in child abuse and trafficking through a network of clergy members in the Massachusetts area.
2. Judith Gaines – Boston Globe Journalist
   Followed Melanie during her initial investigation into Andy’s disappearance, published a series of articles bringing the case into the public eye.
3. Ray D’Arville – Detective in Andy’s Case
   Initial investigator on Andy’s case who may have ties to both the criminal investigation and Melanie’s unfolding podcast narrative.