Story by: LoveFM
Police have denied strong rumors that a member of the clergy is a suspect in the killing of teenage girls in Belize City. Since morning, Love FM Newsroom has been flooded with calls surrounding the rumor that is said to have been mentioned by another media house. A short while ago we spoke with Police Public Relations Officer, Cristy Castillo.
CRISTY CASTILLO - PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, POLICE DEPARTMENT
"I know that that rumor is completely, completely false and a vicious rumor. We have received no information that can link any member of the religious clergy to any of these child murders. We have neither detained nor questioned any member of the religious clergy nor has any member of the clergy been arrested. We are following up every lead and every information that we receive. We have been detaining and releasing many different people for questioning and we are also receiving help from the FBI assisting the police."
Police Public Relations Officer, Cristy Castillo. We also spoke with the Priest whose is rumored to be a suspect, Father Noel Leslie.
NOEL LESLIE - PRIEST, ST. IGNATIUS PARISH
"I would just like to mention that no one has come here to question me about anything. I was not arrested at any time in fact I have been here over the past days and no one has come in to check me about anything. I am free. This is a very shocking thing and it is outrageous to know that people could raise such false rumors without any kind of evidence. At this time I am thinking about what to do next, but I am sure that the police will take up the matter."
Father Noel Leslie, a priest at the St. Ignatius Parish in Belize City. We also got comments this afternoon from the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese, Osmond Peter Martin, regarding the allegations against Father Leslie.
OSMOND PETER MARTIN - BISHOP, CATHOLIC DIOCESE
"And since then I have spoken personally to Father Leslie and he is quite calm about it because he has been receiving a lot of support from the members of our community both Catholics as well as non Catholics. The only reason why such a rumor could have started would be bigotry, hatred for the Catholic Church, hatred for members of the clergy and the religious body. That is the only way such a rumor could have started."
Catholic Bishop Osmond Peter Martin.