Bel Air Deacon Arrested in Child Sting

A Bel Air man who served as a Catholic church deacon, including at St. Patrick’s in Havre de Grace, and former Catholic school teacher was arrested on charges of sexual solicitation of a minor. The case has drawn attention across Harford County because it involves someone who held positions of trust around children. Below is what has been reported so far, and what Maryland law provides for survivors of abuse.

What Happened in Harford County

According to reporting from FOX45 Baltimore, Kenneth Goedeke, 45, was taken into custody on August 5 after he allegedly communicated with an undercover detective he believed to be a 15-year-old boy. He then went to a location seemingly intending to engage in sexual activity with the supposed child. The Archdiocese of Baltimore later identified Goedeke as a Catholic church deacon and a former Catholic school teacher. Reports note he was associated with St. Patrick’s in Havre de Grace, MD and the John Carroll High School.

No child was harmed in this particular law enforcement operation. Detectives intervened first. Still, Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler noted that in his four decades in law enforcement, by the time a predator is caught, there are often other victims who have suffered in silence. The Sheriff’s Office has set up a dedicated tip line and is asking anyone with information, or anyone who believes they may have been a victim, to come forward.

These charges are allegations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. But cases like this one raise questions that survivors and families in our community ask us often.

Why Cases Involving Trusted Adults Are Different

Most child sexual abuse is not committed by strangers. It is committed by people children know and trust: teachers, clergy, coaches, family friends. That trust is exactly what makes disclosure so difficult, and it’s why many survivors stay silent for years or decades.

When the accused held a formal role within an institution, a separate legal question comes into play. The institution itself may bear responsibility if it:

• Failed to screen or supervise the individual properly
• Ignored earlier complaints or warning signs
• Moved the person between roles instead of reporting concerns
• Lacked reasonable child protection policies

A criminal prosecution punishes the individual. A civil claim is different. It seeks compensation for the survivor and can hold an organization accountable for the conditions that allowed abuse to occur.

What Maryland Law Now Allows

Maryland changed its law in a significant way. The Child Victims Act of 2023 eliminated the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims. Survivors can now file suit at any age, no matter how long ago the abuse happened. Before this law, many claims were barred once a survivor turned 38.

That single change opened the courthouse doors for people who thought their opportunity had passed. It applies to claims against individuals and against institutions, including religious organizations and schools.

A Maryland sexual abuse victims lawyer can review the facts of a specific situation and explain whether a civil claim is available.

Guidance for Parents and Survivors

If you believe your child may have had contact with someone facing charges like these, take it seriously and move carefully. A few steps matter:

• Contact law enforcement before questioning your child at length
• Preserve any messages, emails, or records
• Seek support from a qualified counselor or therapist
• Speak with a Bel Air sexual abuse lawyer about your family’s legal options

Survivors of past abuse have options too. Coming forward is hard. There is no deadline pressure anymore under Maryland’s current civil law, though acting sooner helps preserve evidence and witness memories.

Speaking With an Attorney

Choosing to pursue a civil claim is a personal decision, and it deserves a private, careful conversation rather than a rushed one. A Maryland sexual abuse lawyer can evaluate a potential claim, explain how institutional liability works, and handle communication with the responsible parties so a survivor does not have to.

The sex abuse attorneys at KBD Attorneys have worked with children of various ages across the country, including in Maryland. Trained and experienced working with juveniles, we have obtained significant results for survivors. Each case is different and past results do not ensure future outcomes, so a free consultation is best to see if you have a claim.

If you or someone you love has been affected by abuse in Harford County or anywhere in Maryland, contact KBD Attorneys to discuss your situation confidentially.