Former priest, teacher accused of sexually abusing children in Wilmington, Delaware

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) -- Charges have been filed against a former priest and a former teacher for alleged sexual abuse of children that occurred decades ago in Delaware. The accused are 80-year-old John Taggart, who served as a priest, and 57-year-old Christopher Crisona, a teacher at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Wilmington.

Prosecutors report that the abuse took place between 1994 and 1996, involving repeated sexual assaults on a victim during their 7th and 8th grade years. The authorities have detailed the circumstances surrounding the abuses, highlighting the vulnerability of the victim at that time.

Following the allegations, Taggart was transferred to another church the year after the incidents. Crisona faced a complaint from a student leading to his mid-year removal, yet he continued to work in three different religious institutions thereafter.

In addition to Taggart and Crisona, another priest was also included in the criminal complaint, but he has since passed away, further complicating the case.

The surfacing of these allegations serves as a reminder of the historical issues surrounding abuse within religious institutions, and the ongoing efforts to seek justice for victims.