PIEDMONT (SD)
KOTA TV
November 9, 2018
By Stewart Huntington
Some Piedmont parents are questioning why Catholic authorities want to house an accused priest at a church residence across the street from a middle school.
Father John Praveen was arrested on Oct. 22 following a joint Rapid City Police and Pennington County Sheriff’s Office investigation. He is accused of having sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl on two occasions. He is being held in the Pennington County Jail pending trial. His bail has been set at $100,000 cash only.
On Tuesday a lawyer for Praveen asked a judge to release Praveen from jail before trial. Attorney John Murphy said the Diocese of Rapid City would put Praveen under its supervision at Casa Maria, a church property in Piedmont for retired priests. “Father John will be monitored,” Murphy said adding that no children are present at Casa Maria.
KOTA Territory News received calls from concerned parents almost immediately.
Casa Maria sits along Sturgis Road in Piedmont and is directly across the street from the Stagebarn Middle School — and two day care centers.
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