PINEVILLE (WV)
WVVA TV
August 26, 2019
Father Paul Wharton of St. Francis de Sales Parish in Beckley released the following statement Monday in response to revelations of possible abuse inside his Church in May of 2019:
“The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston was deeply saddened to learn today of the alleged abuse of a minor by Francis Keiling. Although one of the the instances of alleged abuse purportedly occurred on church property, at no time was Francis Keiling an employee or volunteer at either St. Francis de Sales Parish or School in Beckley.”
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A Wyoming County man was arrested on sexual abuse charges Friday.
Francis Stephen Keiling II is charged with 52 counts of Sexual Abuse by a Parent on Guardian.
According to the complaint, the abuse went on from late 2007 to September of 2017, with two teenage females.
Court records indicate one of the victims made the decision to come forward after she was abused three times in just one 24 hour period in the downstairs area of St. Frances de Sales Church in May of 2019.
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