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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Ramon Antonio Vargas and David Hammer of WWL Louisiana in New Orleans

Ex-priest indicted for allegedly raping disabled child while ministering in New Orleans

a cathedral by the water
The St Louis Cathedral, seat of the Roman Catholic archdiocese of New Orleans.
Photograph: Joerg Hackemann/Alamy

A man accused of molesting a disabled boy whom he met while working as a Roman Catholic priest in New Orleans has been indicted on child rape charges, according to authorities.

Grand jurors seated in New Orleans’ state criminal courthouse on Thursday handed up a nine-count indictment against Mark Francis Ford, nearly five months after authorities arrested him and jailed him without bail. The document charges Ford, 64, with aggravated rape of a child; raping a person suffering from a physical disability preventing resistance; two counts of molesting a juvenile; another three of indecent behavior with a minor; and kidnapping.

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