LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit is now the 6th priest in Michigan to be charged with sexual assault.
57-year-old Joseph Baker was arrested on Monday on a charge of raping a victim under the age of 13, but he was released on a tether.
Attorney General Dana Nessel says she isn’t sure why several priests are being set free on personal bonds and hopes they’re not getting special privilege for being part of the clergy.
She adds that the investigation is far from over and more charges can be expected.
In a statement, Nessel said, “This is just the tip of the iceberg. Our clergy abuse investigative team is working day and night to review the hundreds of thousands of pages of documents and files seized from all seven of Michigan’s dioceses last fall. At the same time, we continue to receive calls daily from victims who know we will listen to them, believe in them, and investigate their allegations. They deserve nothing less than our very best.”
Former Benton Harbor priest 84-year-old Jacob Vellian is the only one who has not yet appeared in court because he currently lives in India and hasn’t been extradited.
