Priest Arrested on Child Abuse Charges | Topeka News

Topeka News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 23, 2026 · 1m

A Kansas priest, Father Ryan McCandless, 44, has been arrested on three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, allegedly involving a six-year-old between July and September 2025. The KBI took him into custody after the Republic County Sheriff’s Office referred the case, and he’s now being held at the Republic County Jail. McCandless, who recently led three churches in the area, was immediately removed from all pastoral duties by the Diocese of Salina upon notification, which says it followed its child protection policies and is cooperating fully with authorities. Anyone with…