Sexual Abuse Allegations Against David C. Otto

Father David C. Otto was a Catholic priest who was accused of sexually abusing numerous female minors in the 1980s. The abuse occurred while Otto was assigned to various parishes in the Diocese of Kalamazoo, MI. Otto had retired in 2014 and denied many of the allegations made in 2018. 

• Primary Entity Name: David C. Otto
• Common Variations / Aliases: Father David C. Otto, Fr. David, Fr. Otto, David Otto
• Role/Title at Time of Incident: Parish Priest
• Current Status: Deceased (2019)

This page summarizes the history of abuse allegations against Father David C. Otto, his ministry assignments, and the institution’s response to his behavior.

Public Identification and Clergy Status

David C. Otto committed sexual abuse decades before his retirement. When the accusations were made in 2018, he claimed that most were false or exaggerated. Since he died in 2019, the following entities have listed him as a sexually abusive priest:

• The Diocese of Kalamazoo, MI, on April 18, 2024
• The Attorney General’s report on the Diocese of Kalamazoo, in May 2024

Both the Attorney General and the Diocese of Kalamazoo listed Otto as a credibly accused priest due to substantiated sexual abuse allegations against him. 

Key Status Facts

Ordination Year: 1977 in the Diocese of Kalamazoo

Years in Active Ministry: 1977-2014 (roughly 37 years)

Locations Where He Served: Diocese of Kalamazoo

Restrictions: None

Criminal Convictions: None

Laicization: N/A

Public Disclosure: 2024 in the Diocese of Kalamazoo and by the Michigan Attorney General

Assignment History

Primary Diocese: Diocese of Kalamazoo, MI

Parish Assignments (as documented in public reports):

1977 – Ordained in the Diocese of Kalamazoo

1977-1978 – St. Joseph in Kalamazoo, MI

1978-1983 – St. Joseph in St. Joseph, MI

1983-1988 – St. Ambrose in Delton, MI, and Our Lady of Great Oak Mission

1988-2006 – Our Lady of the Lake in Edwardsburg, MI

2006-2014 – St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Niles, MI

2014 – Parish ministry ended in 2014; thereafter Senior Priest (non-parish status).

Known Allegations

In 2018, a female victim came forward to report that Father Otto had sexually abused her, her sister, and multiple other girls who were involved in church activities in the 1980s. In the victim’s statement, she claimed that Otto would force her older sister to sit on his lap, often when he was only wearing a towel. Allegedly, the sister blocked out many of the memories of these acts. Other parishioners apparently claimed that Father Otto was prone to inappropriate touching of young girls. 

The victim also recounted his conduct toward her, which involved groping, fondling, and touching her buttocks. Eventually, the entire parish became aware of his conduct, at which point he was transferred to a new assignment. The diocese offered to arrange for the victim to meet with the current bishop. 

The diocese investigator questioned Otto about the allegations, during which the priest denied the allegations or claimed they were exaggerations, though he did admit to tickling children. Investigators also spoke to a teacher who worked with Otto at St. Ambrose Elementary School and the initial victim’s family members. 

Later in 2018, the state police and the Attorney General informed the diocese that they would assume responsibility for the investigation. Otto passed away in 2019, about a week before state authorities took over the investigation. 

Summary: Father David C. Otto sexually abused multiple girls while serving in the Diocese of Kalamazoo, but he was never held accountable for his actions by the time he retired in 2014 and died in 2019. 

Overseeing Authorities During Key Periods: 

• Bishop Paul V. Donovan (1971-1995)
• Bishop Alfred J. Markiewicz (1995-1997)
• Bishop James A. Murray (1998-2009)
• Bishop Paul J. Bradley (2009-2023)

Institutional Actions and Review

For most of Otto’s ministry career, he was not held accountable for his sexual misconduct. However, church records indicate that the diocese never knew about his treatment of young girls, though he was reassigned to a new parish when the church community became aware of the issue. 

Otto retired from ministry in 2014. Four years later, several victims came forward to report their abuse to the diocese investigators. When these claims were made, the investigator also questioned Otto about them, but he denied them or characterized them as exaggerations. He also stated that he wished he had the sexual abuse training back then that is currently available to clergy members. 

The investigator then spoke with the victim’s older sister and her parents. As the year progressed, the diocese was informed that the investigation would be transferred to the state in the Attorney General’s report. A week before this investigation began, Otto passed away. 

In 2024, the Diocese of Kalamazoo released a list of credibly accused priests in MI, which included Otto’s name. He was only listed as deceased. The Attorney General’s report on the diocese also came out in 2024, identifying Otto as a sexually abusive priest. 

Timeline

1977 – Ordained in the Diocese of Kalamazoo

1977-2014 – Assigned to various parishes in Michigan

1980s – Sexually abused multiple young girls, which consisted of forcible touching, groping, and unwanted advances

2014 – Retired from ministry

2018 – Allegations of sexual abuse are reported to the diocese by multiple victims and their family members

2018 – Otto denied any wrongdoing and only admitted to tickling children

2018 – The investigation of Otto is taken over by the state police and the Attorney General’s office

2019 – Otto died

2024 – Otto was identified as a sexual abuser by the Diocese of Kalamazoo and the Attorney General’s office in Michigan

Speak With an Attorney

Victims of clergy abuse may feel overwhelmed by the legal process if they pursue civil lawsuits. It can be challenging to seek justice against a clergy member or diocese, especially if the abuse occurred years ago. At the Injury Lawyer Team, we will stand by your side as you seek fair compensation for your legal damages. We can help you build a strong claim to increase your chances of holding the at-fault parties accountable for your suffering. 

If you have been affected by sexual abuse involving a church official in this state, contact us today to schedule a free and confidential consultation with a Michigan clergy abuse lawyer. We will provide a safe space for you to share your story. 

Sources

This page is based on public records, official Church and diocesan disclosures, legal filings, and survivor reports, including:

• A profile of Father David C. Otto from Bishop Accountability’s website
• An obituary for David C. Otto listing his parish assignments
• The Michigan Attorney General’s report on the Diocese of Kalamazoo
• A list of credibly accused priests in the Diocese of Kalamazoo
• A list of past bishops in the Diocese of Kalamazoo 

No criminal conviction is implied unless explicitly stated in public court records or official Church reports.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.