VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - A Catholic priest is accused of trying to lure a 14-year-old girl into his car as she walked home from school in Vancouver.
The girl told police he followed her March 10, urging her to get in and calling her “cutie.”
Authorities say 57-year-old Michael T. Patrick was arrested April 2 at Los Angeles International Airport as he returned from a trip to Australia.
The Columbian reports (https://bit.ly/1eKX8fI ) Patrick faces a felony charge of luring. KPTV reports (https://bit.ly/1eKXHWM ) the Archdiocese of Portland has suspended him from the ministry until the case is concluded.
Patrick is the pastor of St. Wenceslaus Parish in Scappoose, Ore., and keeps a residence in Vancouver.
He denied the accusation. Messages seeking comment from Patrick Tuesday were left at his office and on his cell phone.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.