By C. Johnson
News 10
March 14, 2008
http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=39546
STOCKTON, CA - A Lockeford parish priest accused of child abuse involving a 10-year-old more than 20 years ago has been reinstated to his post.
Last October, Father Michael Kelly was placed on administrative leave from St. Joachim's Church while the Roman Catholic Diocese of Stockton investigated the abuse accusation. The allegation stemmed from when Kelly served as a priest at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.
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| Father Michael Kelly |
In a statement issued Friday, diocese Bishop Stephen Blaire said the alleged victim and another individual who had made the abuse claim had declined to give additional information. Blaire said the diocese had hired an outside investigator to check the allegation as much as possible under the circumstances. The bishop said no evidence of sexual abuse by Kelly was found.
Stockton Police Department spokesman Officer Pete Smith said the diocese had reported the abuse allegation to police but because the alleged victim and third party had never filed a complaint, there was no police investigation.
A native of Ireland, Kelly came to California in 1973 and served as a priest in parishes in Modesto, Stockton and Sonora prior to joining St. Joachim's Church in 2004.
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