East Naples Catholic Priest accused of molesting child 30 years ago

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East Naples, Fla. – A Catholic priest is accused of molesting a child 30 years ago. Father Leo Riley is on paid administrative leave from the St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church.

The person making the accusation came forward in December in Iowa where Father Riley used to live, alleging the abuse decades ago.

The Diocese of Venice has confirmed the incident stems from a recent allegation that Father Riley molested a child in 1985 while he was a priest near Dubuque, Iowa.

“Father Riley strenuously denies that the allegation is true and maintains he is innocent,” said a spokesman with the Diocese of Venice.

The Diocese placed Father Riley on leave in December of 2014, pending the outcome of the investigation.  The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests recommends anyone with information or suspicions about Father Riley to call local police not church officials.

There most likely will not be a criminal investigation because the alleged crime happened 30 years ago and there is a statute of limitations.

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