Aurora Priest Accused of Sexually Abusing 2 Children

A Catholic priest who served at Sacred Heart Parish and Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Aurora is accused of sexually abusing two children. Federal marshals and Kane County deputies arrested him at his Rockford home on Thursday.

Alfredo Pedraza Arias, 49, charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a minor, appeared in court Friday. His bail was set at $50,000.

The sexual abuse is said to have taken place at a child’s home and at church.

Between January 2009 and November 2014, Pedraza abused two youngsters under the age of 13, according to prosecutors. At the time, he was a priest at Sacred Heart Church and resided in Aurora.

Pedraza also has worked in DeKalb.

The Diocese of Rockford issued a statement.

“Immediately after the first allegation was reported, Father Pedraza was asked to remove himself from all priestly ministry and from all Hispanic Ministry duties in the DeKalb County Deanery, to which he was assigned.”

The diocese suspended him from ministry in October 2014 when the allegations first became known to the church.

Sacred Heart parishioners told ABC Chicago they are surprised and doubtful.

“I’m very surprised,” Maria Hernandez said.

“I don’t think it happened,” Jesus Diaz said.

Prosecutors said the investigation is continuing and anyone with information may call the Kane County Child Advocacy Center: 630-208-5160.

Pedraza Arias is a Colombian citizen with ties to Costa Rica, according to the Kane County state’s attorney’s office. If he makes bail, the judge ruled, he must relinquish his passport.