Timeline of alleged abuse

Here are the key dates in an investigation into the Rev. Jaime Marin-Cardona, a former Danbury priest accused of abusing two boys he met through Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

June 2010 — Jaime MarinCardona is ordained as a Catholic priest at a ceremony in Bridgeport. He begins working at St. Joseph’s Church in Norwalk.

2014 — Marin-Cardona is transferred to Our Lady Guadalupe church in Danbury, according to the Diocese of Bridgeport. During this time Marin-Cardona allegedly began abusing the older boy when he groped the boy’s crotch while they were preparing for Mass, according to the warrant for his arrest.

2015 — Complaint made against Marin-Cardona in Danbury indicated that he had become “too close” to a mother and her family. Church officials counsel him and and advise him to “change his behavior.”

2014-2017 — Throughout these years, the older boy said Marin Cardona made several advances at him, and became close to the family, regularly stopping by his home, often unannounced, and having dinner with the family. He also offered to pay for the family to go to Jerusalem, which his mother declined.

June 2017 —Marin-Cardona transfers to St. Charles Borromeo and St. Mary parishes in Bridgeport. A diocese spokesman said the move was because two churches in Bridgeport needed a Spanishspeaking priest. Despite this, both families say he continued to drive up from Bridgeport to visit with their boys during his free time.

September, 2017 — Maron Cardona transfers to St. Mary church in Bridgeport.

October 2018 — Mother of one of the victims arrives at her son’s after school program to pick him up, but cannot find him. She files a missing person report with Danbury police before her son arrives home. He tells her Marin-Cardona picked him up at school and took him to Dunkin’ Donuts.

“When Marin-Cardona found out that the police were looking for him MarinCardona immediately brought him home, dropping him off away from his house as not to be seen,” the warrant said.

December 2018 — The older victim’s mother sends him to live with relatives in another state.

Sept. 26, 2019 — Bridgeport diocese contacts Danbury police regarding “boundary violations” and possible “grooming” of two children by Marin-Cardona.

Oct. 2, 2019 — Second victim is interviewed by Family and Children’s Aid in Danbury. He tells investigators he felt safe and had no worries about Marin-Cardona. A search of the boy’s phone turns up no evidence.

Oct. 8, 2019 — First victim interviewed by Danbury police. He tells police he would still be friends with Marin-Cardona, his godfather, if his mother allowed it.

Oct. 10, 2019 — Danbury detectives interview MarinCardona, mostly in Spanish. The priest admits to sending a text message to the older boy against diocese rules, the second time “he has been in trouble for this.” After switching his story several times, Marin-Cardona admits to sexually abusing the older boy. He also admits to groping a younger boy, whose family he had grown close with, on the buttocks

Oct. 11 and 15, 2019 — Investigators interview the first victim again, when he describes years of sexual abuse by Marin-Cardona. They decide not to re-interview the second victim for his well-being.

Oct. 16, 2019 — Police meet with John Perez, head pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, who wrote a letter to Bishop Frank Caggiano about what they have uncovered.

Oct. 18, 2019 — Police meet with the older boy’s mother again, who relates several instances where Marin-Cardona would try to get close to her son. Once, she tells detectives, Marin-Cardona touched her son on his neck, snapping at her “I love him,” when she objected.

Dec. 4, 2019 — Police complete an application for arrest warrant for MarinCardona

Dec. 6, 2019 — Caggiano releases a statement to parishioners notifying them that Marin-Cardona has been placed on administrative leave after the Department of Children and Families substantiated the allegations of abuse.