Update: Homewood Hypnotherapist Child Sex Abuse Investigation
by Mike McClanahan
CBS 42 News
2008-09-20 00:50:15.0
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"On September the 18th 2009 Homewood Police Department charged Stanley Patrick Haluska aged 59 with two counts of sexual abuse with a child less than 12 years old," said Lt. Ken Atkinson.
Homewood police Lieutenant Ken Atkinson said Halusky passed himself off as a hypnotherapist, minister, mentor, lecturer, and writer. "Haluska has a pattern of associating with young boys as a mentor and hypnotherapist and claims to be involved in several organizations related to children's outreach, young men's and teen groups, Hand-in-Paw which is a pet assisted therapy, and The Salvation Army," said Lt. Ken Atkinson.
"The investigation shows Haluska has accessed dozens of juvenile males over the years. He's taken several outings with these boys on overnight, out of state trips and has commonly hosted multiple juvenile males at his residence overnight. Because of the age of the victims and the nature of the charges the investigation believes with a high degree of probability that there are many potential unreported victims in several states over possibly the last 25 years," said Lt. Ken Atkinson.
Hand-in-Paw spokesperson Lynn Sampson said Mr. Haluska has not been involved with that organization since 2003. She said it is their policy to run background checks on adult volunteers and added that children are never left alone with any adult volunteer or staff member.
Sgt. Doug Finch said Haluska had taken juveniles on trips to amusement parks in Atlanta and Orlando, as well as frequent outings in the Birmingham area. "He also hosted very commonly, on average 3 or 4 times per month, overnight stays in his house. With multiple young males, juvenile males,"said Sgt. Doug Finch.
After the two warrants were issued September 18, 2008 police reopened investigations from 2003 involving charges of a similar nature against Haluska. "This is a violation of trust. This is someone that the pattern shows him interjecting himself into single families where single mothers specifically had little means, you know. He would come in and he would provide help in picking them up from school, buying them gifts, taking them places that kind of thing. So its a very common thread through the 2003 in cases and the cases we are working right now,"said Sgt. Doug Finch.
As of Friday September 19, 2008 Haluska was being held in the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.
"Another local agency is investigating similar charges pending against Haluska," said Lt. Ken Atkinson. The Homewood Police Department has set up a confidential tip line for information about Stanley Haluska. They urged any potential witnesses or victims to call (205) 332-6262.
Lt. Atkinson said there is a "high probability" of other unreported victims over the last 25 years. He said Haluska has lived or worked in:
- Birmingham, AL
- Huntsville, AL
-Rocky Mount, NC
-Salem, NC
-Woodstock, GA
-Ashville, NC
-Schenectady, NY and Albany, NY.
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