Saratoga Co. Priest Sentenced for Relationship with 15-Year-Old

By Tanja Rekhi
Time Warner Cable News
October 8, 2014

http://albany.twcnews.com/content/news/775568/saratoga-co--priest-sentenced-for-relationship-with-15-year-old/

James Michael Taylor or 'Father Michael' was sentenced for having an inappropriate relationship with a teenage girl. Tanja Rekhi was in Clifton Park Town Court for the sentencing and has the story.

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. -- A Saratoga County priest has been sentenced for having physical contact with a 15-year-old girl.

"This really is the case of the violation of trust," said acting Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen.

James Michael Taylor or 'Father Michael' served as Deacon and Youth Minister for the Corpus Christi Church in Clifton Park.

"Parents must trust that when they send their kids to these activities their children will be treated with dignity and respect and not abused," said Judge Hughes. "When that trust is violated, the word is changed to doubt."

That doubt surfaced in April 2014, when James Michael Taylor was arrested for endangering the welfare of a 15-year-old girl, who police say he met when he served at Chorpus Christi.

"It involved several different types of acts including, as the accusatory instruments indicate, kissing of the 15-year-old," said Heggen.

By taking a plea deal, Taylor avoided jail time. When sentenced Wednesday, he was fined, and a permanent order of protection for five years was issued for the victim and her family. According to the Albany Catholic Diocese, he was permanently removed from ministry.

"This is the most complicated and troubling case I think I've ever handled," said Judge Hughes.

The judge said he hopes Taylor recognizes and empathizes with the victim, and realizes the impact his actions will have.

"I am hopeful that what this does do though is show when people in a position of trust violate that they will be held responsible and accountable for those actions," said Heggen.