Former Santa Fe priest accused of child sexual abuse found dead

SPRINGER, NM — A former Santa Fe priest accused of child sexual abuse was found dead in a Springer home, according to authorities and court documents.

Springer Mayor Boe Lopez told KOB 4 that police were called to an “unattended death” in a home on Friday morning. The mayor later learned from police that the person was Daniel Balizan.

Mayor Lopez described Balizan as a “community fixture” and said he was a close friend of Balizan and his family, adding that his death was “a sad loss for all of us.”

Balizan was charged with child sexual abuse and was scheduled to appear for a hearing, but court records show that Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal spoke in court on Friday and confirmed that Balizan had died.

KOB 4 has not independently confirmed the cause of death.

Balizan, a former priest at Santa Maria de la Paz Catholic Church in Santa Fe and St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph Catholic Church in Raton, is accused of using text messages to coerce and entice a minor, identified in court documents as John Doe, into engaging in sexual acts with him.

This story is constantly developing. Stay tuned to KOB.com and KOB 4 Eyewitness News for updates.

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