A priest under investigation for inappropriate behavior with a minor leaped to his death from a Chicago high-rise building, according to US media reports.
James Csaszar jumped from a hotel in the Midwestern city鈥檚 downtown on Wednesday, but was not initially identified by police. The Catholic Church confirmed Csaszar鈥檚 suicide on Thursday.
The 44-year-old had been placed on administrative leave last November from his position at a church in Columbus, Ohio, about 300 miles southeast of Chicago.
The Diocese of Columbus said he was being investigated for 鈥渆xcessive and questionable text and telephone communications with a minor and potential misuse of church funds.鈥�
Law enforcement officials planned to continue their investigation, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Police told an Ohio television station that their probe was preliminary and the allegations involved a child at the church where Csaszar served, according to WBNS.
The priest was well-liked by his congregation, according to media reports.
鈥淗e was one of my favorites,鈥� Cheryl Dodson told WBNS. 鈥淗e was always there to listen to you no matter where he was on the street or what it was.鈥澛犅� /kga