News
UPDATE: Suspended Athens County Priest Charged With Sexual Battery Against a Minor
By: Susan Tebben
Posted on:
Update (3:28 p.m.)
ATHENS — A suspended Athens County priest is facing criminal charges after admitting sexual conduct with a minor female, and the discovery of evidence that indicates he may have impregnated the girl.
Father Henry Christopher Foxhoven, 45, of Glouster was charged with eight counts of Sexual Battery in Athens Municipal Court Tuesday, according to a release from the Athens County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators reported that the alleged conduct took place with the minor female between August 17 and October 25. The minor is a member of Holy Cross in Glouster, one of Foxhoven’s two parishes. Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith said the female was a minor, but of the age of consent, which in Ohio is 16.
The Diocese in Steubenville reported the allegations to the Athens County Sheriff’s Office when they became aware of them on October 27 and have said they are continuing to cooperate with the investigation.
Detective Ryan Gillette organized the execution of a search warrant of Foxhoven’s residence Monday and was assisted by the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office, according to the release.
“Evidence of criminal activity, such as several used condoms and a used pregnancy test with a positive indication was found,” Smith said. “Those items will be sent to BCI for testing and analysis.”
Foxhoven appeared in Athens Municipal Court Tuesday.
The State requested $1,000,000 bond and Foxhoven is scheduled to appear before the Athens County Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing on November 29.
Foxhoven was immediately suspended from practicing all religious services and was barred from church property by Bishop Monforton of the Diocese in Steubenville after the incident was reported to the Diocese.
Anyone with additional information pertinent to this case, is urged to contact Detective Ryan Gillette with the Athens County Sheriff’s Office at (740) 593-6633.
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A priest from the Buchtel and Glouster Catholic parishes admitted to sexual contact and abuse of a minor, and is suspended, according to officials.
Christopher Foxhoven, 45, was suspended from “priestly ministry,” effective immediately, after the admission to the Diocese of Steubenville, according to a release by the diocese.
The release goes on to say Foxhoven “may not reside at the parish rectory or within the boundaries of St. Mary of the Hills, Buchtel or Holy Cross, Glouster, parishes.”
Bishop Jeffrey M. Monforton, of the diocese, said in the release Foxhoven is prohibited from conducting “any sacred ministry or perform any ecclesiastical function, dress in clerical garb, or present himself as a priest.”
“We must remain vigilant in assisting victims of sexual abuse,” Monforton is quoted as saying in the release. “We will cooperate with authorities and assist in their investigation of this case.”
The Athens County Sheriff’s Office has received a report on the matter, according to Sheriff Rodney Smith. He said the office plans to release more information today.