Catholic priest in Chile charged with sexually abusing 3 girls, having child with 1

Chilean Catholic priest charged with sexual abuse

SANTIAGO, Chile — A Catholic priest and his girlfriend are accused of soliciting sex from young girls, including one who later bore his child, investigators said Wednesday.

The Rev. Ricardo Munoz Quinteros, 55, found the youths with the help of his girlfriend, Pamela Ampuero, who photographed the minors and sent him the pictures over the Internet, investigator Jaime Graffigna said.

Munoz offered his victims up to $90 to be with him, Graffigna alleged. The priest stayed silent as he was led from jail to the courthouse Wednesday. The public defender assigned to his case entered a plea of not guilty.

The Catholic bishop in Melipilla, Enrique Troncoso, said he was shocked by the report and promised to open an investigation. Munoz was suspended from his duties as a priest.

The priest has been charged with abusing three girls, ages 14, 16, and 17, Graffigna said.

Ampuero, 33, the mother of two children fathered by Munoz, has been charged with peddling the sexual services of minors, Graffigna said.

One of the victims also bore the priest’s child, prosecutor Cristian Caceres said.

Munoz served in Melipilla, 40 miles (70 kilometers) northwest of Santiago. His alleged victims are from the nearby town of Curacavi.