Westlake Police Department received a tip from a local Catholic priest reporting a “disturbing incident”.
Westlake Police Department received a tip from a local Catholic priest reporting a “disturbing incident” that involved Luis Jesus Barajas and a 15-year-old girl suffering from cancer.
Former priest, 76-year-old Barajas, has a sinister past involving accusations of sexual misconduct with children. In 1982, he was officially ordained a Catholic priest. Just seven years later, his inappropriate behavior was discovered for the first time. While serving the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Barajas was accused of sexually abusing juveniles. He was promptly removed from the priesthood and ordered to return to his home in Colombia.
Following his removal from the organization, Barajas was arrested in 2019 on a felony charge of misconduct with a minor. Under the guise of a “trusted family friend” and “church clergy,” he continued to abuse children. Although no longer a legitimate practicing priest, he remained determined to wield his power in horrific ways.
His most recent crimes have been traced back to various in-home stays with families in Lorain County. On October 10th, he was taken to a home in Westlake to bless a 15-year-old cancer patient. A family searching for a religious miracle instead received acts of deception and condemnation. Those who were present report witnessing Barajas touching the teenager inappropriately during his supposed religious ceremony. Many were confused, as they had never seen a blessing conducted with the same disregard that the 76-year-old displayed.
Westlake police arrested Barajas at a home in Elyria and charged him with gross sexual imposition, a fourth-degree felony.
Authors: Alexis Kabat and Andy Goldwasser
