Former School Priest Accused of Sexually Assaulting Young Girl

WISN
February 23, 2017

http://www.wisn.com/article/former-school-priest-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-young-girl/8971229

A former school priest known to students as "Father Bob" touched a young girl on her buttocks, vagina and breasts over the course of nearly three years, a criminal complaint said.

Robert Marsicek, now 75, faces up to 60 years in prison if convicted on three counts of 1st degree sexual assault of a child under age 13.

According to the charging document, the assaults occurred between September 2007 and the end of June 2010 while Marsicek worked at St. Pius X Grade School, on the 2500 block of Wauwatosa Avenue.

The complaint details at least seven instances in which the girl, identified only as AC, alleged that Marsicek touched her inappropriately while hugging her, comforting her or playing with her.

In one instance, the girl recalled being in the school's boiler room with Marsicek. They watched other children roller skating in the gym through a grate in the wall.

"Father Bob hugged her from behind and reached his right hand and placed it onto her vagina while holding onto her with his left arm. She was wearing jeans and felt that she could not get away. He finally let go when she yelled out the name of another student who was skating who came over to her by the grate," the complaint said.

Questioned about the allegations, Marsicek said that it was AC who was often more "clingy" than other students, and he recalled telling the girl that it was inappropriate that she sat on his lap.

The complaint said Marsicek further recalled instances when he would take children for boat rides and that at times he let the boys, some as young as 7 years old, drive the boat. He would stand behind them and press against them. He said that at times he would get an erection, stating that "bouncing around in the water as you do, became sexual."

Asked if he was aroused by boys and girls, Marsicek said he liked the "cuteness and beauty" of them, but wasn't attracted in a sexual manner to the point where he'd want to have sex with them, the complaint said.

He did admit to having erections while dealing with children and admitted that it seemed odd, the complaint said.

Marsicek is out of custody on a $50,000 signature bond and has been ordered to not have any contact with anyone under the age of 18.

The Society of the Divine Savior Salvatorians issued the following statement in the wake of the charges being filed in this case:

We were officially informed that Fr. Bob Marsicek was charged by the Milwaukee District Attorney with first degree sexual assault of a child, from a 2007 allegation.

Nothing is more important to us than the safety and well-being of our children and families. If there is any indication that abuse may have occurred, it is always thoroughly investigated. We have zero tolerance for child sexual abuse, and abuse of any kind.

Fr. Marsicek is a member of the Society of the Divine Savior, a religious order. The Society of the Divine Savior and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will continue to cooperate fully with civil authorities.

In 2013, Fr. Marsicek was immediately and fully restricted from public ministry after an allegation was made and was investigated by civil authorities, but did not result in charges. Since 2013, Fr. Marsicek has been on a safety plan and under strict supervision. Prior to today, no charges had been filed against Fr. Marsicek.

If you have additional information or would like to report an incident, please contact Detective James Donovan of the Wauwatosa Police Department at 414-471-8430.

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We ask for your prayers for all who are involved.

Very Rev. Joseph Rodrigues SDS

US Provincial, Society of the Divine Savior