I just got off by a father. >> By who? >> By a priest. >> Yeah. >> What do you mean? >> You just >> at church. >> At church. She bit me. >> Have the bowl with the holy host for us is sacred. >> And she grabbed all the hopes in the hands because she wants to receive from herself. She is not permitted. >> And she break all the host spread in the in the in the in the before spreading in the in the floor. >> I grab her hand. You cannot do this. This is Ron. This is acryog. and said I don't care I am receiving communion and she didn't said let the the communions out you cannot do that because she do the only the only defense that I found to defend the something from us for all of us is sacred was biting her I have recognized that I bite her I'm not denying that >> in a quiet church in St. Cloud, Florida. A Sunday mass turns into a criminal investigation. A woman walks up to receive communion and leaves, claiming the priest violently bit her wrist in front of the entire congregation. He says he was defending the sacrament. She says she was assaulted in God's house. This is the bodywn camera footage from the day officers tried to untangle faith, rules, and a bite mark inside a packed Catholic church. >> Hello. >> How are you guys? I'm officer. What's going on today? >> Um, I just got off by a father. >> By who? >> By a priest? >> Yeah. >> What do you mean? >> You just at church? >> At church. He bit me. >> Really? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> We just keep in charge. >> Yes. >> That is interesting. Um, >> so we want to press charges. Okay. Please. >> Okay. >> How How is that? Can I take a picture of that real quick? >> A cookie. Oh, where we went to go get the freaking bread. Instead of a 911 call, this case begins as a walk-in complaint. Two women arrive at the police department, still in shock, saying a Catholic priest bit one of them during communion. One of them is the complainant, the woman with a fresh bite mark on her wrist. Beside her is her partner, who says she watched the entire thing happen. >> Um, excuse me. >> Okay. >> Um, he said basically I needed to do confession and do all of this. this I need to go to mass every Sunday or whatever. And I said I >> that that doesn't matter. >> I've done everything I needed to do as a kid. >> Mhm. >> I'm just here to accept the bread, >> right? >> And he wouldn't give it to me. So I said, okay. So I we went stood there because it was like, okay, no, this is this is not going to happen, you know? I don't I don't like this. >> You stood for another mass. >> We stood we stood for another mass. >> Try to do it again the right way. >> And I told him, listen, sir. I said, >> "You don't >> you don't get to judge me right now >> under God's house." >> And then he was like, "I can't give this to you and all this stuff." And I was like, >> "Why?" He's like, "You just told me you you don't go to mass. You haven't been in mass in years and this and that." >> And I told him I told him, I said, "I did everything already." >> He's like, "When did you confess? When did you do this?" I said, "It doesn't matter." I said, "I'm here just to accept the bread." >> Mhm. >> And then he's like, "Okay, because you want it." And then he just like tried to air time into my mouth. >> And I was like, "No, you're not going to do that." And he's like, "You want the bread, right?" >> And I was like, "Not this way." So again, I'm not going to front. I went and grabbed I tried to grab another cookie and that's when he grabbed literally grabbed my hand and he just bit me and I tried to just back away, but that's it was very indented before and then you know um volunteer. >> Yeah. People right now. >> Okay. >> She tells officers this wasn't a misunderstanding. It was humiliation in front of a full church, first mass of the morning. He questions her faith, refuses her communion. So she waits for the next service, determined to do it the right way. When she reaches again for the host, she says the priest forces it toward her mouth. She pulls back, reaches for another consecrated host. And in that struggle, she says he clamps down on her wrist with his teeth. Volunteers rush in, but she insists he bit me. In front of everybody. >> So you got you don't want to go down to the hospital at all. Sorry that he bit you. >> I I don't even know. Like >> are you guys done with your statements by any chance? >> I am. >> Okay. >> I mean, I was a little sloppy, but >> That's okay. >> I'm nervous. >> It's okay. And then are you going to be at your house for the rest of the day or are you going to be at >> We're going to try to go to um her niece's uh >> is that here? Is that here in St. Cloud? >> Yes. >> Okay. On Point. It's a gated community. Where? >> Non Point. >> Medics check the injury. It's painful. but not deep enough in their view to force her to the hospital. She declines transport, but she does not want to walk away from what happened. On camera, she's clear. She wants to press charges against the priest who bit her. >> Do you know how long the service is over there? >> Definitely ending soon. >> Yeah, ending soon. >> Yeah, cuz it was already towards the end when we get the body of Christ at church. >> Um, do you guys have a picture of this guy or anything? >> No. >> Okay. >> Looks like the skinny version of Santa Claus. skinny version of Santa Claus. Does he have a beard or >> Yes, a beard. White beard. >> Is he white, Spanish, black? >> Hispanic. >> He's Hispanic, but um white skin, white beard, white hair. >> Okay. >> And how old is he roughly? >> Between his 50s and 60s, I could say. >> Okay. And his name? >> Fidel Rodriguez. >> Fidel. >> The women give officers a name. Father Fidel Rodriguez, a Spanish-sp speakaking priest, late middle-aged, white beard, a skinny version of Santa Claus. Now the case has a location, a suspect, and a congregation full of possible witnesses. Patrol units are sent to St. Thomas Aquinus to lock the scene down and find the priest. >> Hi, >> how are you? >> Good. Do you work here? >> I'm a volunteer. >> Okay. Was there a service that's just took place or is still happening? >> No, it just ended. Okay. Is there a father Fidel Rodriguez here? >> Um, he left the property already. >> Okay. Did you know of anything that happened today? >> No, cuz I was sitting outside in >> Was there anybody inside that can tell me what happened? >> Uh, Carlos works here. >> He wasn't inside then. >> I don't know. >> Is there anybody at this church? a few people who the parishioners who were here who had said that they've seen it, but of course they left by the passes over. >> Do you know what happened or what they saw? >> I I don't know. I was scared to say anything cuz I wasn't there. I don't know. They said that something they they're claiming that somebody bit someone or something and I don't I don't know. >> Oh, okay. >> Hello. >> Hello. This is this is Harlo. He works for the jerk. How you doing? AI along with >> Nice to meet you. Um, we got a call that someone got bit at the church. >> Yeah. >> Oh, I was watching the video of what happened, but >> Okay. You can I watch it with you or >> Yeah. >> By the time officers arrive, the mass is over and most of the crowd is gone. But the story hasn't disappeared. It's already online. A church employee, Carlos, has YouTube live stream footage of the exact moment. If the bite happened in front of everyone, it should be here. >> Yeah, looks like she's trying to take it somewhere. >> Yes, she's trying to take it for us. That's the body of Christ. So that's >> I didn't see him bite her at any point. >> What you said? Maybe did someone else bite her? Well, it doesn't show. So, I mean, we don't know. And um >> he had to pick everything up from the floor, all the bread and everything. >> That's safer for us. So, it is like no, we cannot allow. We just found that with our lives. That's our our faith. >> Are you able to like take that uh clip and save it like um go into hit edit and save that clip and send it to me via email? >> Yeah. cuz that will show that he didn't actually do what she's saying. >> Okay, >> he did. >> From this angle, officers don't see a clear bite. They see a struggle at the altar, a woman reaching a priest protecting what he calls the body of Christ. Carlos insists the host is sacred, something he says they defend with their lives. And the officer quietly notes on this video, he doesn't see the priest bite her, at least not clearly. Already, the body cam story splits into two paths. a victim's wrist and a church's live stream. >> Sure. >> I have a question for you, man. >> Um, so you say your faith, you have to be prepared to get the uh >> the how how did the priest know she wasn't prepared? >> He asked her. He was having that conversation with her. He was asking her. >> Does he ask everybody? >> No. No. But he asked her. And >> you know why her? >> I don't know. >> She was here before. >> She was Yeah. at 10:00 mass >> and he asked her if he she had done the confession >> because he told him it's been a long time I don't have confession and she was upset right >> and yeah so she was upset and she stayed here so when he did the other mass she went inside you know to try to have the communion and he already have told her that she cannot have the communion and she have confession >> a church worker fills in the missing context. According to her, the woman already challenged the priest at an earlier mass that morning. He asked when she last confessed, whether she attends mass, whether she's followed the steps required for communion. She says the woman was upset. And when the next service began, she came back to the same priest to the same line to try again. For the officers, this isn't just about one bite. It's about a conflict that's been building all morning. If you appreciate seeing these cases in full context, not just short clips, and you want more long- form breakdowns of real bodywn camera like this, you can support the channel by buying me a coffee. It helps cover the time it takes to review hours of footage, blur sensitive details, and tell these stories respectfully to victims, officers, and even the accused. Now, back to the investigation at the church. >> We have mass at 10:00 in the morning. >> All right. and was a mass in English and there was first communion for the kids of the school. Father the pastor, father Derek was presiding and was concentrating with him >> and at the moment of the communion I can both was side by side giving communion to the persons. Okay. >> She came to me and >> for experience because I've been longtime priest in fact I am retiring in one month. >> Okay. She came and she didn't receive the communion as we have the room you know or in the hands or in the mouth she wanted to rub it in this way is like you are taking a cookie >> and then she didn't the the Christian need to say an answer amen when you say the body of Christ >> amen okay >> okay she didn't give the answer and then I said because I have the authority to do it h you done your first communion because what happened when this the first communion of the kids the coming family that they are not practicing faith. >> Okay? >> And they don't know this. They can receive. They think everybody's going to receive. I can receive too. They came said, "Do you receive communion?" Yes. Long time ago. Uh when was the last time that you received communion because I see that she doesn't know what to do. >> Mhm. >> Uh many years ago, I say, "Have you confessed after that? Are you coming to mass every Sunday to receive communion?" I don't need to explain you that. Well, if you don't tell me the question because I can I have the authority to ask you. I cannot give you communion. I can give a blessing. I give the blessing. Please move the other people's come and she left but she was upset. This was the 10:00 mass. >> 10 o'clock. >> 10:00 mass end at 11. The first communion, the kids came here. We take picture with the kids, the families, whatever. And I go back because I have mass at 12. >> Okay. >> In Spanish. >> Okay. >> At the moment of communion, she came again. >> Mhm. >> Defying me and in the line in front of me. >> In a small office off the sanctuary, Father Fidel sits down with investigators. He describes a woman who, in his view, does not follow the rules for communion. No amen. Unusual hand position and no recent confession. He blesses her instead of serving the host. She leaves upset. Then he says she comes back now defying him. Cutting into his line again during the Spanish language mass. What happens next is the heart of the case and the part both sides agree on. There's a struggle at the altar and her wrist ends up in his mouth. >> Let me let me ask you something, father. So you felt just as >> I recognized that by her as defense. >> Okay. >> And as defending myself and defending the sac. >> So you felt like she um she was kind of uh you know it's a secret sacred place, right? So she was kind of scandal. >> She was defiling. >> She she pushed me. She agreed me. She was very I tell you that the attitude was very defiant. She didn't want because >> in the same way that we are talking here something is wrong. >> She can come to me. This happened many times. I I I said the people the people understand what I'm asking they and they are coming father you mean to understand me I can receive communion I confess I am coming okay and at this moment when they say that maybe the mass has done I come come take the go to the the tabernacle I give the communion it's not a problem to do that if I have made mistake >> to the priest the bite is not an assault it's defense he says she grabbed the consecrated hosts with her hands broke them and tried to take them for herself He calls it sacrilege and admits he responded by biting her wrist on body cam. He doesn't deny it for a moment. The question for investigators is why he did it and whether that crosses the line from religious conflict into criminal battery. >> So did uh did anything I mean obviously you don't know her. um anything about her was there was there any conversation about her living in sin or or or the way that she lives her life uh about why that she couldn't she couldn't take communion or was it just the fact that she hasn't done the practices of your >> the practices the rule that we must follow is the thing >> so if she was if she was a lesbian or if she was >> I don't know nothing her would that >> she's a lesbian >> maybe >> I don't know >> but I I didn't ask but would that that would that uh >> do you know I know you you can be guy and you can be pap. >> So that so that has nothing if you're if you're gay. >> I'm not judging for appearance you and I can tell you something. They're lesbian here in the community >> and they they're able to receive. >> No, because they are married with another woman and they know that they cannot receive. But it doesn't means that I don't greet every day. I kiss them. I bless them. They have two kids and they love me. >> But they're so they're treated the same. Obviously they're treated with respect and and everything else, but they can't >> I don't use nobody. They can't receive they can't receive communion because of their sexual orientation. >> Excuse me. The sexual orientation is not a limitation to that. You can be uh gay or homosexual or trans whatever you are. I'm not judging for appearances. If they know how to do the things they can they can I can give communion. I don't know if they say >> amen. >> The victim and her partner believe bias played a role. They tell officers they're a couple and that he gave communion to one of them but not the other. Investigators press the priest directly. Was he denying communion because she might be gay? On camera, he denies judging her for her appearance. He insists sexual orientation by itself is not a barrier as long as in his view the person has followed the church's rules for confession and mass. But for the complainant, that's not how it felt in the moment. >> And yeah, I don't know. I'm sorry that happened to you. That shouldn't happen to you, especially in a >> establishment like that. >> She tried to attack her and like it was like three dudes and I'm like, "No, no, no. You guys are not going to get on top of her like that because >> she did absolutely nothing wrong. It was him that assaulted her in front of everybody." >> So, did did anybody else put their hands on you? >> It was like more like >> kind of It was a volunteers, but they thought that I started the fight. >> Outside the church office, the story sounds very different. Her partner describes volunteers piling toward them, thinking she was the aggressor, while in her eyes, the priest was the one who crossed the line. To them, this isn't a theological disagreement. It's a battery in the middle of mass with three men closing in as she tries to pull free from his bite. >> Obviously, we have to go to the church and do the other half of the investigation with the top part all involved. >> Um, I'll keep you updated on on what we do. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um, this right here is a victim's rights brochure. You're not required to read it read it by any means, but I am required to give it to you. Um, usually applies to like victims of domestic violence and stuff like that, like the shelter information. Um, most the information that you're going to need the most um, if you do decide to contact the state attorney's office or whatever is going to be right here, which is the state attorney's office has their phone number, obviously has our phone number, the emergency line. Um, and then I'll obviously I'll be calling you on my department phone as well. So, you have mine, too. >> You have business card by chance? >> Do you have a business card by chance? >> Yeah. I'm going to write one down for you. >> You don't have the new ones, bro? I got I got new ones. I got Um, so this right here is a victim's notification card. That's if an arrest is made today. Um, like I said, we have to talk to all parties involved. But if there is an arrest made today, I will be in contact with you. Um, and if the suspect or the father gets arrested once he gets released from jail, somebody will come to your house or the jail will call you and let you know that, hey, this person is getting out of jail. >> That's going to be for you. And then this is going to be for you as well. >> Legally, the officer can't promise an arrest. What he can do is lock the case into the system. victim's rights brochure, notification card, direct number for the state attorney's office, and a report number she can reference if anything happens next. From here, the decision to file charges will be up to prosecutors, not just the officers in the room. >> Sorry. So, we understand your side of it now and it makes a little bit more sense. Um, we're just they'll they'll have all they'll have all sides of it. And then >> do I need to make an announce there? >> 1048. I'm sorry. >> We have we have the video. we have your side and it it makes sense, right? It makes sense. So, basically, we'll send to the state attorney's office if they feel the need to >> you can see the the the the video of them before mass at 10:00 that I was in that side of the camera and you can see better what happened. >> Um, and like I said, it's if they choose to pick up on it, they'll send you something in the mail just saying, "Hey, come to court this day." Um, >> but no, you don't need a lawyer. You're not going to jail. You don't need anything like that. So just just look in the mail and if if she comes >> uh maybe I need to put the mail because I I think that I didn't put it here. >> Um it's going to fly you. I'm just waiting back on the information to put the the victim brush. All right. You getting number one second your name, the report number. Let's go. Alpha Tony Sinclair. >> So read this to you here. This is the So this has his name and the report number. >> So if you need if you have any other questions or there's anything uh that comes up after it, you can call the police department and reference that number. It's 24002612. >> Um like I said 0 >> 24002612. Um, like I said, just look in the mail. >> After hours of interviews, church video, and bodywn camera, officers settle on one path forward. They don't arrest the priest that day. Instead, they send everything, his statements, her statements, the live stream, and the bite photos to the state attorney's office. If prosecutors believe a crime was committed, both the priest and the complaining witness will get letters in the mail telling them when to appear in court. You ly anything else from me? >> Sure you don't want to go? >> That's a hard bite. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. >> He like grabbed my wrist and he just like like a beaver would with like a log. >> It's okay. Um, Paul's asking you anything you just >> and then you guys all know where you're at cuz I have your phone number. >> Okay. You guys have any questions for me? >> No, not at this moment. >> Okay, I'll give you a call if I have any further questions. >> Thank you so much for your time. No problem. >> For the woman with the bite mark, there's no instant justice, no handcuffs, no perw walk, just a bandaged wrist, a case number, and a promise that prosecutors will review what happened. For the priest, there's no guaranteed clearance either. On his own body cam interview, he admits biting her, even as he insists he was defending the sacrament from sacrilege. Between them lies a crowded church, a live stream, and a question the legal system will have to answer. Where does religious discipline end and criminal battery begin? This case will ultimately be decided far away from the altar in offices, courtrooms, and meetings inside the state attorney's office. The footage you've seen tonight shows both sides. A complainant who says she was shamed and bitten in front of a full congregation, and a priest who says he was protecting what he believes is sacred, even as he acknowledges that he bit her wrist. Whatever you believe about faith, communion, or who was in the right, our system is built on one principle. The individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you want to see more fulllength body cam breakdowns like this told with respect for victims, officers, and even the accused, make sure you subscribe, turn on notifications, and check out the other cases on this channel. Thank you for watching and stay safe out