Greensboro, NC -- Friday, News 2 talked to a man who worked as an executive with the Boy Scouts as thousands of suspected child abuse cases were being kept secret for decades. A judge ordered the "Perversion Files" to be released Thursday.
Each page describes the terror of a child, from molestation to abuse. Some of those cases were reported right here in the Triad.
"I did everything humanly possible to protect the youth while I was leader. I just hope and pray that none of them were hurt because of a failure to keep up with somebody after this. I know some have gone to jail and some did go to jail," said Bill Brackett.
Brackett's name is on three of the reports included in the "Perversion Files." He has been a professional scout for 43 years. He filed official paperwork with the national boy scouts of america organization about suspected abuse.
Brackett says the Scouts created it to try to protect children but is there more they could have done?
In 1979 the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law requiring any person or institution to contact the Department of Social Services if they suspect child abuse.
"That's very difficult to prove and there is no penalty that goes with that. It's not a class I felony for instance, arguably, I suppose it could be a misdemeanor however, I've never heard of such a case being prosecuted," said attorney Locke Clifford.
Clifford says while there are no teeth to that section of the law, he says if you fail to report a crime like this, you could face more severe charges.
"What would be more important to the person who suspects child abuse and does not support it is the possibility that that person could possibly be charged with a conspiracy to abuse the child, or as an accessory, the crime of accessory before the fact or after the fact. The cover-up of the child abuse for instance, so it is best to air on the side of going ahead and reporting it as the law requires," explains Locke.
WFMY News 2