Man Accuses Kansas Priest of Sexual Abuse

April 5 - Liana Wagle remembers Father Stephen Muth as a very holy man. Wagle met Father Muth when he was an associate pastor at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Wichita in the early 90's. He was in Wichita only two years before moving to Kansas City.

A former alter boy remembers the priest in a different way. A suit filed in Kansas City accuses the priest of sexual misconduct against boys. The accuser, not wanting to use his real name, is listed as John Doe. Through his attorney, Rebecca Randles, he says the sexual advances began in Wichita.

The suit claims Father Muth sexually abused the boy in a Wichita swimming pool. Years later, Randles says John Doe took a job at the Kansas City churches as a groundskeeper where Father Muth ministered. Doe claims father Muth abused him there, too.

Randles says John Doe finally decided to report the abuse when he allegedly caught the priest in bed with a young boy. She says John Woe witnessed the priest with his face close to the boy's genital area.

Randles says the Diocese claims it made an internal investigation of the allegations, cleared Father Muth of any impropriety and then fired John Doe. She says her client would like the church to implement procedures to make sure any other employee or child would be protected from improper tendencies.