Delaware priest relieved of duties amid child sex abuse allegations
(Pixabay)
WILMINGTON, Del. - A Roman Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing a teenager in Delaware nearly 40 years ago has been relieved of his duties.
The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington said in a statement Thursday that it will continue to cooperate with authorities in their investigation of 71-year-old William J. Porter.
Porter has served as pastor at Holy Name of Jesus in Pocomoke, Maryland, since 2003.
Diocese officials say they received an allegation in March that Porter sexually abused a teenager 38 years ago at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in New Castle.
Officials say they were notified last week that Delaware State Police had concluded their investigation because the conduct occurred outside of the statute of limitations.
The diocese says Porter is currently under investigation by Wilmington police for alleged similar conduct.