‘The evidence will show that Father Carlos did not ‘floss’ with a student's hair or ‘growl’ among other completely false and repulsive accusations,’ attorney says. A priest has been arrested after allegedly using a 13-year-old girl’s hair as floss while waiting to see a relic, police said.
Carlos Martins was detained Monday following the November 21 incident, when officers arrived at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Joliet, Illinois, in the afternoon, police said in a statement. The church was hosting an exhibition and Mass as well as a national tour of the Relics of St Jude the Apostle.
The priest, who was visiting from Detroit as part of the St. Jude relic tour, is alleged to have approached the girl while she was in line to view the relic. He’s reported to have asked about her hair before grabbing it and making a flossing motion in his mouth using the hair, according to the police statement.
The girl told police that Martins then sat behind her and made a growling sound, officials said. Following an investigation, detectives submitted their report to the Will County State's Attorney's Office. The office approved a misdemeanor battery charge against the 50-year-old. He was detained on Monday morning, processed and subsequently released on a notice to appear.
A hearing has been scheduled in Will County Circuit Court in Joliet for February 24. “The evidence will show that Father Carlos did not ‘floss’ with a student's hair or ‘growl’ among other completely false and repulsive accusations,” said Burke.
