MICHIGAN
ABC 12
SAGINAW (WJRT) (4/13/2018) – A Michigan Court of Appeals judge has been appointed to oversee all internal investigations into possible sexual abuse by clergy in the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw.
Bishop Joseph Cistone, who oversees the diocese, announced the appointment Friday. He gave Judge Michael J. Talbot full authority to investigate all matters pertaining to allegations made against clergy.
“It is my sincere hope that this step will bring renewed courage to victims — and their families — to come forward with a fuller expectation of fairness, justice, and healing,” Cistone said.
The Rev. Robert DeLand was arrested on Feb. 25 and again earlier this month on charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, gross indecency between males, furnishing alcohol to a minor and manufacturing or distributing a controlled substance.
The 71-year-old priest at St. Agnes Parish in Freeland is accused of sexually assaulting three males — two in the rectory at St. Agnes and one at his condominium on Mallard Cove in Saginaw Township.
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