August 11, 2005

Suspended priest charged with molesting four boys

MENDHAM (NJ)
The Morning Call

MENDHAM | A priest who was suspended after allegations he molested two youths in the 1980s and 1990s faces new charges of molesting four boys at a drug treatment program where he became a counselor.

The Rev. Richard Mieliwocki, 58, was suspended nearly two years ago by the Archdiocese of Newark. Arrested in December, he was indicted Tuesday on charges of child endangerment and criminal sexual contact.

Authorities said he improperly touched and made sexual comments to the boys, ages 16 to 18, during therapy sessions at Daytop Village last year.

''I'm very happy they indicted him,'' said the Rev. Joseph Hennen, Daytop's executive director. ''That kind of conduct is absolutely intolerable.''

Posted by kshaw at August 11, 2005 07:11 AM