Retired Priest Charged With Molesting Dying Retarded Boy
A retired Roman Catholic priest and part-time chaplain at Saint Mary’s Hospital here is free on bail after being charged with molesting a terminally ill 12-year-old boy who is mentally retarded and cannot speak.
Reno police told a news conference on Thursday that Father Edmund John Boyle, 70, surrendered after a warrant charging him with lewdness with a minor under 14 was issued earlier in the day. He was released on $5,000 bond.
Officials said the child involved suffers from a congenital disease and cannot speak, but did not describe the nature of the illness.
They said the suspect met the boy at Saint Mary’s Hospital, but the alleged incident happened April 15 at Riverside Hospital for Skilled Care in Reno, where a nurse reported seeing Boyle expose himself to the boy.
If he is found guilty, Boyle could face up to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
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