Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Father Robert DeLand

This page outlines the assignments, credible allegations of sexual abuse, and institutional actions involving Father Robert DeLand, as part of the Injury Lawyer Team’s legal representation of survivors in Catholic clergy abuse cases.

• Primary Entity Name: Robert Joseph DeLand, Jr.
• Common Variations / Aliases: Fr. Robert DeLand, Father Bob DeLand, Robert J. DeLand
• Role/Title at Time of Incident: Catholic Priest, Pastor, Vocations Director, Chaplain, Judicial Vicar
• Current Status: Convicted; Permanently Removed from Ministry; Laicized

Public Identification and Clergy Status

Father Robert DeLand was publicly identified by the Diocese of Saginaw and by public court reporting as a priest facing criminal charges involving sexual misconduct. 

The Diocese of Saginaw stated that it learned of DeLand’s arrest and arraignment through media reports on February 26, 2018, and immediately placed him on administrative leave from active ministry due to the criminal charges. 

The diocese also imposed restrictions on his public conduct and prohibited contact with individuals under 21 during the criminal proceedings.

In subsequent years, diocesan records and public reporting reflected a case progression that included plea proceedings, sentencing, and a permanent separation from clerical status. 

The Diocese of Saginaw’s published profile page for DeLand lists a permanent removal date of April 25, 2019, and notes that he was laicized, meaning he no longer functions as a priest, effective September 7, 2022. 

Entity that Listed Him:

• Diocese of Saginaw
• Bishop Accountability.

Reason for Listing: Criminal charges and court proceedings resulting in conviction and diocesan actions including administrative leave, permanent removal from ministry, and laicization. 

Key Status Facts 

Date of Birth: February 23, 1947 

Date of Ordination: June 17, 1973 

Years in active ministry: 1973 through placement on administrative leave on February 26, 2018 

Locations where he served: Michigan, Diocese of Saginaw, with assignments in Bay City, Saginaw, Essexville, and Freeland 

Restrictions placed: Administrative leave, prohibition on public ministry, prohibition on wearing clerical garb or presenting as a priest, and court-related directives, including no contact with individuals under 21, as stated by the diocese in March 2018 

Removal, resignation, reassignment: Placed on administrative leave February 26, 2018, and listed as permanently removed April 25, 2019 

Laicization: Listed by the diocese as effective September 7, 2022, following a petition for dispensation from the clerical state 

Assignment History

Primary Diocese/Archdiocese: Diocese of Saginaw (Michigan) 

The Diocese of Saginaw published an assignment record that identifies DeLand’s principal parish and institutional roles and provides specific date ranges for many of those assignments. These postings establish the documented institutional settings in which he served and provide context for the locations referenced in public reporting and diocesan actions. 

Parish Assignments:

• St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Bay City, Michigan (July 1973–July 1975) 
• St. Vincent de Paul Parish, Bay City, Michigan (1976–1978) 
• St. Stephen Parish, Saginaw, Michigan (July 1980–July 1981) 
• St. Boniface Parish, Bay City, Michigan (July 1981–July 1987)
• St. John the Evangelist Parish, Essexville, Michigan (July 1987–July 1991) 
• Holy Family Parish, Saginaw, Michigan (July 1993–July 1995) 
• Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Saginaw, Michigan (July 1995–July 2005) 
• St. James Parish, Bay City, Michigan (July 14, 2005–July 1, 2011) 
• St. Agnes Parish, Freeland, Michigan (July 2011–February 26, 2018) 

Non-Church Assignments

• Chaplain, All Saints High School, Bay City, Michigan (July 1973–July 1975) 
• Director of the Office of Church Ministries and Vocations, Diocese of Saginaw (July 1975–July 1980) 
• Co-Director, Permanent Diaconate Program, Diocese of Saginaw (July 1976–July 1980) 
• Chaplain, Ss Peter and Paul High School, Saginaw, Michigan (June 1978–August 1980)
• Chaplain, All Saints High School, Bay City, Michigan (July 1984–September 1991, until assigned to studies)
• Graduate studies, canon law, American University in Belgium (September 1991–July 1993) 
• Diocesan Tribunal worked in various capacities, Diocese of Saginaw (after July 1993, as described in diocesan assignment record) 
• Chaplain, Nouvel Catholic Central High School, Saginaw, Michigan (1993–2005) 
• Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Saginaw (2001–February 26, 2018) 

Known Allegations

Public reporting and diocesan statements indicate that Father Robert DeLand became the subject of criminal allegations in early 2018 that involved two complainants, described in contemporaneous reporting as young men in their late teens and early twenties. 

The Diocese of Saginaw stated that it learned of DeLand’s arrest and arraignment through media on February 26, 2018, and that, because criminal charges had been filed, the bishop immediately placed him on administrative leave from active ministry. 

The diocese also stated that DeLand was required to comply with court obligations, including a directive that he have no contact with individuals under 21, and that he could not participate in school or parish activities, could not wear clerical garb, and could not present himself publicly as a priest while the criminal case proceeded.

Public summaries compiled from multiple sources also reflect that, after the initial allegations became public, additional individuals contacted law enforcement with claims of attempted or actual sexual misconduct spanning earlier decades. 

These accounts, as publicly summarized, describe alleged misconduct occurring in settings where DeLand held pastoral authority or supervised young people, including parish-related activities and contexts reported publicly. 

Court proceedings later produced outcomes that triggered formal institutional action. A diocesan statement addressing sentencing in April 2019 acknowledged harm to victims and emphasized cooperation with civil authorities. Diocesan records list DeLand as permanently removed from ministry on April 25, 2019, and later identify him as laicized, effective September 7, 2022, following his petition for dispensation from the clerical state. 

Summary: Public records describe criminal allegations involving multiple complainants, followed by administrative leave, permanent removal from ministry, and laicization as reflected in diocesan disclosures. 

Overseeing Authorities During Key Periods:

• Bishop Joseph R. Cistone — Diocese of Saginaw (placed DeLand on administrative leave and imposed restrictions following the February 2018 arrest) 
• Most Rev. Walter A. Hurley — Diocese of Saginaw, Apostolic Administrator (issued diocesan statement regarding April 2019 sentencing) 

Institutional Actions and Review

The Diocese of Saginaw’s public communications describe immediate administrative action after the February 2018 arrest, including removal from active ministry and restrictions intended to protect minors and young people. The diocese stated that an internal investigation would begin after the criminal investigation was completed to avoid interfering with law enforcement. 

The diocese’s published assignment record lists DeLand as placed on administrative leave on February 26, 2018, and as permanently removed on April 25, 2019. The diocesan profile page further lists laicization effective September 7, 2022. 

A diocesan statement on dispensation from the clerical state describes a petition submitted on June 27, 2022, to leave the priesthood and return to the lay state permanently. It outlines the canonical pathway used to effect that dispensation. 

For additional Michigan clergy abuse resources, see the Injury Lawyer Team’s accused priests page.

Timeline

June 17, 1973 — Ordained to the priesthood 

July 1973–July 1975 — St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Bay City, Michigan 

July 1975–July 1980 — Director of the Office of Church Ministries and Vocations Director, Diocese of Saginaw 

July 1976–July 1980 — Co-Director, Permanent Diaconate Program, Diocese of Saginaw 

July 1981–July 1987 — Pastor, St. Boniface Parish, Bay City, Michigan 

September 1991–July 1993 — Graduate studies in canon law in Belgium 

July 2011–February 26, 2018 — Pastor, St. Agnes Parish, Freeland, Michigan 

February 25, 2018 — Arrest date listed in public summaries compiled by Bishop Accountability

February 26, 2018 — The Diocese stated it learned of the arrest and arraignment through the media and placed DeLand on administrative leave 

March 1, 2018 — The Diocese published restrictions, including no contact with individuals under 21 and a prohibition on presenting as a priest 

April 25, 2019 — Diocese lists DeLand as permanently removed from ministry 

September 7, 2022 — Diocese lists laicization effective on this date 

November 29, 2022 — Diocese issued a statement describing dispensation from the clerical state process 

Speak With an Attorney

If you or someone you know was sexually abused by Father Robert DeLand or another Catholic clergy member in Michigan, you may still have legal options depending on the facts and applicable civil law. Contact us to book a free and confidential consultation with a Michigan clergy abuse lawyer. 

Sources and Public Records

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

• The Diocese of Saginaw’s assignment record for Robert J. DeLand, which lists his date of birth, ordination date, parish and institutional assignments with date ranges, administrative leave date, and permanent removal date.
• The Diocese of Saginaw’s March 1, 2018, public statement announcing administrative leave and detailing restrictions, including the prohibition on contact with individuals under 21 and the directive not to present himself publicly as a priest.
• The Diocese of Saginaw’s profile page for Robert J. DeLand lists permanent removal from ministry and laicization effective September 7, 2022.
• The Diocese of Saginaw’s November 29, 2022, statement describes the dispensation from the clerical state process and the petition timeline.
• Bishop Accountability profile for Fr. Robert DeLand, Jr., which compiles publicly reported case milestones and links to contemporaneous reporting and diocesan materials.

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.