MONTPELIER, Ohio — At the request of the accuser, authorities have closed an investigation of a priest accused of sexually abusing a minor more than 25 years ago in Williams County.
But that now-concluded investigation into the Rev. Nelson Beaver unearthed other accusations of wrongdoing, leading to new questions about the man’s time in Lucas and Huron counties, prosecutors and representatives of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Toledo said.
Father Beaver was placed on administrative leave by the diocese in October after an individual came forward alleging they were abused when the priest was at Sacred Heart Parish in Montpelier, Ohio. He served as pastor there from 1984 to 1994.
The Williams County Prosecutor’s Office and Montpelier Police Department opened a joint investigation of the priest in October when the diocese notified them of an allegation against Father Beaver.
“At the wishes of the victim, we’ve decided to close the case for now,” Williams County Prosecutor Katherine Zartman said. “We had several thorough discussions with the victim, who is an adult and wished to not proceed with prosecution at this time.”
Ms. Zartman said the investigation could be reopened if new evidence is produced or so long as the statute of limitations remains open.
In the course of the investigation, she said two additional allegations were made against Father Beaver. She said these pertained to other jurisdictions and were referred to the appropriate authorities.
Kelly Donaghy, a spokesman for the diocesan, said these additional cases are in Lucas and Huron counties.
Calls to the prosecutor offices in Lucas and Huron counties were not immediately returned Monday afternoon.
Father Beaver was ordained June 5, 1976, according to diocesan directories.
He served as associate pastor at:
■ St. Paul the Apostle in Norwalk, Ohio, from 1976 to 1979;
■ Most Blessed Sacrament, Toledo, from 1979 to 1981;
■ St. John the Baptist, Toledo, from 1981 to 1984;
And as pastor at:
■ Sacred Heart, Montpelier, and St. Joseph, Blakeslee, Ohio, from 1984 to 1994;
■ St. Mary, Norwalk, and St. Alphonsus Liguori, Monroeville, Ohio/Peru Township, Ohio, from 1994 to 2004;
■ St. Hyacinth, Toledo, from 2004 to 2005.
When he was placed on leave, he had been serving as pastor at Resurrection Parish in Lexington, Ohio, since 2005, and St. Mary of the Snows Parish in Mansfield, Ohio, since 2010.
The diocese will proceed with its own investigation into Father Beaver.
“Now that the civil authorities in Williams County have determined they will not pursue the case, the Diocese, according to our policy, will begin a canonical process which includes a thorough investigation,” Ms. Donaghy said in a statement. “The findings ... will be presented to an independent Review Board which will then, based on the facts, present a recommendation to the Bishop regarding Father Beaver’s suitability for ministry.”
First Published March 25, 2019, 8:19 p.m.
