Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bronx Priest Arrested For Molesting Teen Girl: "She Didn't Protest To Getting A Massage"
By
Ben Yakas
Published Aug 4, 2011
Modified Aug 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Aug 4, 2011
Modified Aug 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
An elderly Bronx priest was arrested yesterday and accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl who had just started working at his church rectory last week. Father Jaime Duenas, 87, was arraigned on charges of sexual abuse, forcible touching and endangering the welfare of the 16-year-old girl. And according to prosecutors, he gave this excuse in his cell before his arraignment last night: "She didn't protest to getting a massage...She was wearing short skirts."
Duenas was arrested inside the rectory of the Church of the Blessed Lady in Eastchester yesterday afternoon. Sources told the Post that Duenas allegedly molested the girl Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. Duenas was released without bond, and the judge ordered him to stay away from the victim. The Archdiocese of New York added that it is looking into the allegations, and says no other complaints had been lodged against Duenas in the past. One church member told Fox, "Truthfully, I'm in shock. Not him. This is mind blowing."
Tagged
bronx
jaime duenas
priest
rectory
sex abuse
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NYC’s subsidized childcare waitlist is moving, starting with 3K families
The city notified 3,000 families on the waitlist that they were eligible for a voucher.
By
Karen Yi
Published Oct 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Elon Musk drops $500K on NY Rep. Mike Lawler's re-election bid
The world’s richest person is spending on dozens of races across the country, but only one in the Empire State.
By
Jon Campbell
News
Elon Musk drops $500K on NY Rep. Mike Lawler's re-election bid
The world’s richest person is spending on dozens of races across the country, but only one in the Empire State.
By
Jon Campbell
Early Addition: If you catch a mouse, there are meaner options than feeding it to a bird
By
James Ramsay
Brad Lander says he's released after Israeli forces detained him during olive harvest
By
Ryan Kost
George Washington Bridge reopens after fatal shooting; no arrests made
By
Ryan Kost
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .