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Chicago-area priest charged with sexual abusing 2 children

Posted February 12, 2016 6:00 am

The Associated Press

AURORA, Ill. (AP) - Prosecutors outside Chicago have charged a Catholic priest with sexually abusing two children under age 13.

The Kane County State's Attorney's office announced charges Friday against the Rev. Alfredo Pedraza Arias, who served at Sacred Heart Church in Aurora. The 49-year-old was taken into custody Thursday in Rockford. He faces two counts of felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse and his bail was set at $50,000.

Prosecutors say the abuse happened between 2009 and 2014 at the home of one of the victims and the church.

The Rockford Diocese issued a statement Thursday saying Pedraza Arias was removed from priestly duties when the first allegation was received in October 2014. The diocese says it's cooperating with authorities. A phone number in Aurora for Pedraza Arias wasn't listed.

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