Church school worker arrested for child molestation

By David Macanally
WTHR
July 29, 2015

http://www.wthr.com/story/29653707/church-school-worker-arrested-for-child-molestation

St. Anthony Church

INDIANAPOLIS -

A religious education worker at a west side Catholic church is charged with molesting two boys.

Oscar Vasquez, 38, is the parish religious education director at St. Anthony. He faces sexual misconduct with a minor charges.

Both victims are now teenagers.

The alleged acts did not happen in the St. Anthony church or school, but in one case, it started in the park across the street, when Vasquez allegedly asked one of the victims back to his house, where he fondled him.

"If he did that, that is a horrible thing to do. And we've seen kids in and out. I didn't know that was going on. You just never know about your neighbors," said Taylor.

At one point, the teen told his mother he did not want Vasquez as a sponsor at a church event. But his mother said of Vasquez, "he was good and was a minister and knew about God."

But the teen told police he was afraid to tell his mother about the alleged abuse.

Vasquez allegedly preyed on the victim numerous times and told him if he told his mother and police got involved, the undocumented family could be sent back to Mexico.

That's upsetting for a neighbor who once had a child at the same school.

"It's pretty bad," said John Franklin. "But you're hearing a lot of it in a lot of different places nowadays. You just got to watch the people your kids go to school with. Both parents should go and talk to all the teachers, get involved with them. Most of the time, you can get a feel about the person."

Vasquez lived a few blocks from the church on N. King St., next to a church and another park.

"He stayed to himself, mostly. When he came out, he said 'hi'," said neighbor Debra Taylor.

One of the victims mother said they had trusted Vasquez because of his position, but also because he had a good reputation. She told police he was a nice guy.

Heading to enroll his children at St. Anthony, Edgar Rangel told Eyewitness News he tells his kids "all the time" not to fear police.

"I think the police are the best friend here. If you have some problem, you can go to the police," he said.

"That's sad. To use immigration against a child? Scare his own family? It's just somebody who has no class. Has no respect for human beings," said Franklin.

In court documents, Vasquez has denied the allegations.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis issued the following statement in response to the allegations against Vasquez:

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has been informed that Mr. Oscar Vasquez, an employee of St. Anthony Parish in Indianapolis, was arrested by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and was charged with child molestation on July 27, 2015. Mr. Vasquez worked at the parish as a pastoral associate. The pastor informed people at all the Masses last weekend at St. Anthony Church about Mr. Vasquez' arrest, and letters are being mailed to parishioners' homes in both English and Spanish. 

Mr. Vasquez has worked at St. Anthony Parish since October of 2012. As an employee of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Mr. Vasquez has completed the archdiocese's child safety program and has undergone regular criminal background checks by the archdiocese. The archdiocese has never had any complaints or allegations made concerning Mr. Vasquez's conduct at the parish. The archdiocese is cooperating with authorities.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis is committed to ensuring the safety of all children in its care and enforcing its policies and practices regarding the safety of children. If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual misconduct by a person ministering on behalf of the archdiocese, please contact law enforcement authorities and the archdiocesan victim assistance coordinator, Carla Hill, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. You do not have to give your name. Mrs. Hill can also be reached at 317-236-1548 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1548 or by email at chill@archindy.org. The Archdiocese also maintains a misconduct reporting system that is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week through Ethicspoint, and reports can be made at www.archdioceseofindianapolis.ethicspoint.com.

More information about the Archdiocese of Indianapolis' sexual misconduct policy and information about how to report an abuse incident can be found on-line at www.archindy.org/abuse.