Priest accused of using girl’s hair as floss at Joliet church during relic tour

Carlos Martins, 50.

A priest from Detroit was arrested Monday after an alleged incident involving a teenage girl at a Joliet church in November.

The backstory:

The incident took place on November 21, 2024, when officers responded to Queen of Apostles Church at 130 Woodlawn Avenue at 3:23 p.m., according to a statement from Joliet police.

Upon arrival, they learned that Carlos Martins, a priest from Detroit who was visiting as part of a St. Jude relic tour, allegedly approached the girl while she was in line to view the relic. Martins reportedly asked about her hair before grabbing it and making a flossing motion with her hair in his mouth, the statement said.

After sitting down, the girl told police Martins sat behind her and made a growling noise, according to officials.

After the investigation, detectives submitted their findings to the Will County State's Attorney's Office, which approved a charge of misdemeanor battery against Martins.

What's next:

Martins, 50, was arrested on Monday at 9:41 a.m. after the complaint warrant for battery was quashed in court. He was processed and released on a Notice to Appear.

The Source: Information for this story was provided in a press release from the Joliet Police Department.

Crime and Public SafetyJolietNews