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Video: Man acting as 'retired priest' arrested for molesting Westlake teen with cancer

Date Released: October 24th, 2023

Description


A 76-year-old man is facing a felony charge after being accused of posing as a "retired priest" and molesting a Westlake teen girl who is battling cancer. According to Westlake Police Capt. Gerald Vogel, officers received a call from an area Catholic priest with a report of a "disturbing incident." Police say they discovered that Luis Jesus Barajas had been in Lorain County for several months and was staying with local families. A Colombian national, acting as "a retired priest," Barajas was visiting Northeast Ohio and performing spiritual ceremonies to the area's Spanish-speaking populations. On Oct. 10, Vogel reports that Barajas was driven to Westlake to bless a 15-year-old girl who was sick with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. The family had heard about a Spanish-speaking retired priest in the area and requested that Barajas pray with the teen. Witnesses told police that Barajas touched the juvenile inappropriately during the blessing, using blankets and clothing to hide some of his actions. Vogel says the touching actions by Barajas made several witnesses uncomfortable, adding that they were “unconventional” compared to past blessings they had seen.

Description


A 76-year-old man is facing a felony charge after being accused of posing as a "retired priest" and molesting a Westlake teen girl who is battling cancer. According to Westlake Police Capt. Gerald Vogel, officers received a call from an area Catholic priest with a report of a "disturbing incident." Police say they discovered that Luis Jesus Barajas had been in Lorain County for several months and was staying with local families. A Colombian national, acting as "a retired priest," Barajas was visiting Northeast Ohio and performing spiritual ceremonies to the area's Spanish-speaking populations. On Oct. 10, Vogel reports that Barajas was driven to Westlake to bless a 15-year-old girl who was sick with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. The family had heard about a Spanish-speaking retired priest in the area and requested that Barajas pray with the teen. Witnesses told police that Barajas touched the juvenile inappropriately during the blessing, using blankets and clothing to hide some of his actions. Vogel says the touching actions by Barajas made several witnesses uncomfortable, adding that they were “unconventional” compared to past blessings they had seen.