Report: Settlements reached in Reardon abused case

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — St. Francis Hospital has reportedly reached settlements with dozens of victims of a former doctor accused of sexually abusing his child patients.

The Hartford Courant reports the settlements came after mediation overseen by Superior Court Judge Robert Holzberg.

Terms were not disclosed, but the newspaper, citing sources it did not identify, reported the victims received an average of $500,000 each.

Authorities believe Dr. George Reardon molested hundreds of children under the guise of a bogus growth study. He resigned in 1993 amid molestation accusations and he died in 1998 without being charged.

A hidden collection of more than 50,000 pornographic images featuring his young patients was discovered in 2007 in his former home.

The only victim to have his lawsuit go to trial received a $2.75 million award last year.