Former priest in Delaware faces charges of raping a child

BELLEFONTE (DE)
WTXF

February 1, 2018

A terrible first in the state of Delaware has occurred. A former Catholic priest faces charges of raping a child.

The big stone church known as Saint Helena Parish dominates the neighborhood in the tiny Delaware community of Bellefonte.

Mass is heard daily here and social events are held. However, there is sorrow and anger over 76-year-old John Sarro in the community.

“Anytime you mess with a minor, you get what you deserve. He’s an animal as far as I’m concerned,” said Bob Cannon.

Sarro was priest at Saint Helena in the 1990’s.

According to a New Castle County Grand Jury indictment, he had “sexual intercourse” with a girl under 16 in the early ‘90’s.

Sarro was also charged with “touching the teenager’s breasts.”

Despite a long history of sexual abuse claims made against priests here, Sarro is the first to be criminally charged.

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