A Catholic priest was charged Tuesday in Athens County Municipal court with eight counts of sexual battery.
Henry Christopher Foxhoven, 45, of Glouster, was accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor between Aug. 17, 2018 and Oct. 25, 2018, according to a news release from the Athens County Sheriff's office. The minor is a member of Holy Cross in Glouster, Ohio, one of Foxhoven’s two parishes.
The Diocese in Steubenville reported the allegations on Oct. 27 when it became aware of the issue.
Detective Ryan Gillette ordered a search warrant of Foxhoven’s residence on Monday and was joined by the Athens County Prosecutor's office, Athens County sheriff Rodney Smith said in a news release. Authorities found several used condoms and a used pregnancy test with a positive indication.
The items found will be sent to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation for testing and analysis, Smith said in the news release.
Foxhoven is scheduled to appear before the Athens County Municipal Court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 29.
“We must remain vigilant in assisting victims of sexual abuse,” Bishop Jeffrey Monforton said in a Diocese of Steubenville news release. “We will cooperate with authorities and assist in their investigation of this case.”
Bishop George Murry, of the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, also announced a list of names on Tuesday of those who have been accused of sexual abuse of a minor and have been reported to civil authorities dating back to 1943. The list can be found here.
The Diocese of Steubenville plans to release a list of priests by the end of October who have been accused of sexual crimes, dating back decades.
