BIG Whoopsy

Albert Lee Schildknecht, 56, of Laguna Niguel, California and the former music director at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel was charged Friday with the sexual abuse of a then 16-year-old choir student twelve years ago.

Unlike most Catholic Church sex scandals, the alleged victim in this case is female, now 28-years-old and reported the allegations to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on May 14 after previously contacting the diocese.

Schildknect has been charged with two counts of oral copulation and one count of digital penetration of a minor.

According to the alleged victim she began having sexual relations with Schildknecht in 1995 and 1996 after meeting him at Saint Timothy Catholic Church.

According to media reports diocesan spokesman Ryan Lilyengren stated that allegations of sexual misconduct involving Schildknecht and the alleged victim were made at the parish level in August 1995 and that church officials responded with the “full knowledge and participation” of the victim’s parents.

Schildknecht was placed on administrative leave by the church in mid-May and resigned two days later.

References:

Ex-Employee Of Church In Laguna Niguel Faces Sex Charges (7/30/07)

Man to be arraigned for allegedly having sex with choir student at Catholic Church (7/30/07)