Catholic priest the Rev. Robert DeLand Jr. Robert J. DeLand Jr. He dropped a ceremonial hockey puck at the Saginaw Spirit game the night he was recognized for his work in the community and the Saginaw diocese.
In , though, police accused him of having a dark secret. On Sunday, Feb. Agnes Church and renewing the vows of a couple married for 25 years, DeLand was arrested on several counts of criminal sexual conduct and other charges. Police in Tittabawassee and Saginaw townships had undertaken a months-long investigation into allegations of sex crimes involving DeLand and two young men, one age 17 and one age 21, who claim they were victimized by him.
An year-old subsequently came forward and said he also was a victim. Saginaw Catholic diocese 'stonewalled' investigators in alleged sex abuse case, prosecutors say. When a beloved priest known as "Father Bob" was charged with sex crimes a year ago, the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw vowed to help investigators. The shocking news swept through the Freeland community and the parish DeLand served.
Church leaders were left scrambling to address the issue both in public and among the , or so Catholics who make up the diocese that spans Mid-Michigan, including the cities of Saginaw, Bay City and Midland, and the Thumb. Joseph R. Cistone, Bishop of Saginaw, who died in October, in a February statement. I ask that you keep in your prayers Father DeLand and anyone who has brought forward allegations against him. My heartfelt prayers and support go out to the St.
Today, the year-old DeLand is no longer overseeing a parish or acting in any role within the Saginaw Diocese, which has suspended him.
