Michigan Priest Faces Battery Charges for Allegedly Using Teen Girl’s Hair as Floss
Father Carlos Martins, a Michigan priest and exorcism podcast host, has been charged with misdemeanor battery in Illinois after allegedly pulling a 13-year-old girl’s hair and using it to floss his teeth.
The incident allegedly took place on November 25 at the Diocese of Joliet, where Martins and his ministry group were on a nationwide tour showcasing The Relic of St. Jude. According to a 16-year-old boy who witnessed the event, Martins, who is bald, made a joke about once having hair and then grabbed the girl’s hair and put it in his mouth. He then allegedly flossed with the hair before sitting behind her in the pew and making “growling” noises.
The Diocese of Joliet released a statement saying that Martins was ordered to “depart from our parish and out of our Diocese” following the allegations. Authorities took him into custody on January 27. Martins has denied the allegations.
The charges come as a shock to fans of Martins’ popular exorcism podcast, “The Exorcist Files.” The podcast has gained a significant following, but some have expressed concern over the allegations, calling for an investigation into the matter.