News & Views

From the time the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case made the first horrifying headlines, there's been one lingering question: What about his own adopted children? If he could do the atrocious things he did to all of those other children, could it really be that the six under his own roof were safe?

Sadly today, one of his adopted sons dropped the bomb -- No, no they were not safe. Matt Sandusky, 33, came forward with the revelation that he was also sexually abused by his Sandusky.

In a statement, his attorneys, Andrew Shubin and Justine Andronici, said:

During the trial, Matt Sandusky contacted us and requested our advice and assistance in arranging a meeting with prosecutors to disclose for the first time in this case that he is a victim of Jerry Sandusky's abuse. At Matt's request, we immediately arranged a meeting between him and the prosecutors and investigators. This has been an extremely painful experience for Matt... There will be no further comment at this time.

And now we know. Our suspicions are confirmed, and it just makes the whole thing even sadder and Sandusky even more pathetic of a man if it's true. Not that the abuse of one child over another is any less horrific, but there's something about taking a child in need into your home as your own son and then abusing him like this that's particularly repulsive.

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Also disturbing is the fact that Matt's biological mother, Debra Long, knew something wasn't right at the time, and you have to wonder who else did too?  Matt tried to commit suicide just a few months after moving in with the Sanduskys (he was originally taken in as a foster child and later adopted by the Sanduskys); he was acting out.  Though Matt repeatedly denied the abuse until today, Long filed a complaint when he was under Sandusky's care. Unfortunately, nothing was done.

I'm glad Matt, who has been considered one of his father's biggest supporters until now, found the strength to come forward at last. Though the jury won't consider his allegations in their decision and are already deliberating Sandusky's fate, hopefully it's part of his healing process, and will help him better deal with the atrocities he faced.

Of course, Matt was one of six adopted children. There are plenty of other haunting questions that remain. Sadly, none of the answers will change what happened.

Are you surprised to learn that Jerry Sandusky abused one of his children?

Image via ABC News