Grand Jury Declines To Indict Ohio Priest
CAMBRIDGE, Ohio - A Guernsey County grand jury declined to indict the Rev. Gary Zalenski on allegations that he sexually abused Beth Rocker in the 1990s.
Rocker, 28, traveled from Jerusalem, Israel, a few months ago and met with Guernsey County Sheriff Michael R. McCauley and Prosecutor Daniel G. Padden, who subsequently investigated her claims.
Padden confirmed Wednesday that Zalenski is not facing charges in connection with those alleged crimes.
On Nov. 11, Bishop R. Daniel Conlon of the Diocese of Steubenville withdrew Zalenski from active ministry and removed him as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish. Conlon said the allegation was brought to the Diocese of Steubenville by a then-unnamed woman who was a young parishioner at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Lore City, Ohio, where Zalenski was pastor.
Diocesan officials declined to comment on the matter Wednesday.
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Bluebirds60
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10-02-08 1:38 AM
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Statement: Judy Jones, SNAP director southeastern Ohio, 636-433-2511 "We're disappointed and puzzled. It's important to remember, however, that the bar for criminal prosecution is very high. It would be reckless and naive for anyone to assume that this decision somehow suggests that Fr. Gary Zalenski is innocent. Now, more than ever, it's crucial that anyone with knowledge of Fr. Gary Zalenski's crimes and misdeeds comes forward, gets help, and calls police."
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