Fr. Benedicto Ortiz
Ordained for the Diocese of Areciba, Puerto Rico. Incardinated 6/1/1974 into the Diocese of Brownsville. Died 5/14/2011. Named publicly as credibly accused by the Brownsville diocese on its list 1/31/2019, which notes an allegation received in 2016. A lawsuit filed in 2019 alleges Ortiz sexually abused two boys, who were siblings, from in 1982 to 1985, beginning when the children were ages 10 and 13. The children’s mother allowed her sons to live with Ortiz in the rectory five days per week for their safety. The abuse is said to have occurred in the rectory, on trips to South Padre Island, and included plying the children with drugs and alcohol. Reportedly in 1994, Ortiz was stabbed by a 19-year-old male, who told police he attacked Ortiz after the priest tried to sexually assault him. His attacker was charged with attempted murder.
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