Reports: 2 more accuse Philly columnist of abuse

PHILADELPHIA — Two more people have come forward claiming they were abused by a Philadelphia sports columnist who abruptly retired just before the publishing of a report alleging he abused young children decades ago.

The two women bring to six the total number of adults who say former Philadelphia Daily News columnist Bill Conlin molested them when they were younger.

Fifty-year-old Linda Stella tells the Daily News that Conlin molested her on two occasions at his New Jersey home. A second unidentified woman tells The Philadelphia Inquirer she was also abused at Conlin’s home.

Conlin retired Tuesday, shortly before The Inquirer published a story online detailing allegations of abuse from three women and a man in the 1970s. Prosecutors say Conlin cannot be charged because the statute of limitations has expired.

Conlin has denied the allegations. A phone message left for Conlin’s attorney was not immediately returned early Thursday.