ST. JOE'S ASSAULT VICTIM FIRED BY CHURCH, CASE STILL UNSOLVED

St. Joseph's Church marked the one-year anniversary of one of its employees being beaten and attacked in the rectory by terminating her employment, according to sources.

The 63-year-old employee, whose name we have withheld, was told that if she could not return to work within one year of the March 14, 2012 attack, she would be let go. That date passed last week.

Suffering from traumatic brain injury, the employee has been unable to return to the job, sources said. She continues to receive medical coverage for her specific injuries and disability insurance representing 70% of her previous salary, but that will only last until her medical condition is considered to be at a permanent state and no longer likely to improve.

She had worked at St. Joseph's for at least 16 years, drawing support and rave reviews from many parents and students of the school and the church.

The employee declined to comment on her situation.

A request for comment to the church was passed on to the Archdiocese of Newark, which declined comment with an email that stated: "We don't comment on individual personnel matters."

The crime occurred on March 14, 2012, and launched what police say was an intense investigation. But to this date, no one has been charged.

This update from Maplewood Police Capt. John Perna indicates one "person of interest" was found in the case, but not enough evidence has been found to take that person further in the investigation.

Due to the severity of the attack this case was given top priority by all divisions within the police department, particularly the Detective Bureau whose members conducted an extensive investigation into the matter. Various leads were developed by Maplewood Detectives during the investigation and those leads were explored to the fullest extent possible. The investigation identified a person of interest, however, there is insufficient evidence at this time to charge that person with the crime. 

The department will not comment on whether any leads were developed as a result of a reward posted through the Essex County Sherriff’s Office Crime Stoppers Program. 

A $3,000 reward is still being offered by the Essex County Sheriff's Office.