Reply #8: I think the student was behind the investigation when it finally happened.

[pnwmom]

Yes, he shouldn't have waited for years, but he finally helped break this thing open.

And not having a cell phone would be a reason for not doing what a lot of people here have suggested -- instantly calling 911. Instead, he had to leave and find a phone, and then he made the mistake of calling his father, instead of the police. But if this had been one of 40 some other states, Paterno would have had the legal obligation to call the police. As it was, he could just pass the information up the chain of command and let them not handle it.