A Pewaukee priest has been charged with sexually assaulting a child.
A criminal complaint filed in Waukesha County charges Charles Hanel with second-degree sexual assault of a child. Hanel is the pastor at Queen of Apostles Church and was placed on administrative leave earlier this year after allegations surfaced that he had inappropriate contact with a minor.
A letter to parishioners from the Rev. Jerome Herda, vicar for ordained and lay ecclesial ministry with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, said Hanel has denied the allegations.
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The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported the 61-year-old Hanel has served as the church’s pastor since January 2014. He previously was a priest at St. Gabriel Parish in Hubertus.
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