Lawrence Patrick is charged with three counts of indecency with a child. He is free on $150,000 bond. According to the judge, Patrick is not allowed contact with any children, including the alleged victim in this case.
The 65-year-old Patrick taught music at Saint Rose of Lima Catholic School in northwest Houston. According to court documents, the little girl says Patrick touched her inappropriately at least 30 times during private after-school lessons between October 2011 and February 2012.
"The defendant would stand behind her and as she was being taught and given these piano lessons, he would reach over her and reach into her shirt," said prosecutor Paul Fortenberri.
"Mr. and Mrs. Patrick are wonderful people and I know that there's a lot of people in the community that are behind him and in support of him and are just bewildered that these allegations have been made," said defense attorney Casey Keirnan.
Court documents state there was a previous allegation made against Patrick by a 10-year-old female student in 2007. The girl says Patrick positioned himself so that her body was between his legs and that she felt something against her.
Patrick was never charged on that accusation and prosecutors declined to comment about it to us.
Police are still investigating the possibility of other victims.
Patrick was relieved of duty at the school on February 23. He is still married and has three children.
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston released a statement Thursday which read in part: "The school and the Archdiocese fully cooperated with the civil authorities' investigation and on July 2 learned that Mr. Patrick was charged with indecency with a child. The Archdiocese is deeply saddened and angered each time a crime of this nature is reported. We stand firm in our resolve to prevent abuse from happening to youth and are committed to providing a safe environment for all young people entrusted to our care."
Patrick is due back in court on July 11.
