American priest Alexander Crow, aged 30, is the subject of a police investigation after marrying an 18-year-old recent high school graduate in Mobile, Alabama.
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Alexander Crow is said to have “abandoned his parish” and went to Italy in July with the young woman, where they stayed for several months, according to the city’s archdiocese, Thomas J. Rodi.
She knew the religious man at the college she attended, where Crow occasionally taught theology classes, according to public reports.
Screenshot X (Twitter) / pillar catholic
The young Catholic graduated from high school this year, and only turned 18 in June.
Their relationship became evident when authorities were able to get their hands on a love letter she received from Crow on Valentine’s Day, while she was still a student.
The letter even claimed that they were already married, so the girl was still 17 years old.
A marriage certificate signed Friday and filed Monday in the city of Mobile.
Screenshot / AL.com – YouTube
In a statement to local channel WKRG, the county prosecutor said he subpoenaed the 18-year-old woman after her return from Europe in November.
“She appeared healthy and said she was safe. However, she was accompanied by a lawyer at the meeting and together they refused to answer questions surrounding the circumstances of her disappearance in July.
Thomas J. Rodi reportedly suspended Alexander Crow in July. Since then, an archbishop revealed on Wednesday that the Vatican was considering officially ousting him from the priesthood.
The Mobile Sheriff’s Office and the district attorney are investigating the events, as allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of a minor circulate.
Sheriff Paul Burch believes that the man of the Church would have used the strategy of child entrapment by gaining her trust in order to sexualize their relationship, once she becomes an adult.
“Once a predator, always a predator,” he told local station WKRG. “Why else would you start something (without there being a physical relationship)?”
The man is not facing any charges at this time, due to lack of evidence according to Global News.
