Profile Facts
- Name
- Joseph Baker
- Role
- Priest
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Detroit
- Ordained
- 1993
- Status
- Convicted
- Records
- Diocesan and public records
Father Joseph Baker, known to parishioners as “Fr. Jack”, was convicted in October 2022 of sexually assaulting a child and sentenced in March 2023 to 3 to 15 years in prison. Ordained in 1993 for the Archdiocese of Detroit, he was removed from St. Perpetua parish in Waterford Township in June 2019 as the investigation unfolded. White Law PLLC’s clergy sexual abuse lawyers document his case here for survivors.
A criminal conviction does not prevent survivors from also pursuing civil compensation. If Baker abused you or your child, a separate lawsuit against the archdiocese may still be available.
Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Detroit
The Archdiocese of Detroit is Michigan’s largest diocese, one of seven in the state alongside the dioceses of Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, and Saginaw. The Michigan Attorney General’s 2018 investigation into clergy abuse covered the archdiocese extensively. Our attorneys serve as a Michigan clergy sexual abuse lawyer for survivors in Detroit and beyond.
Baker’s prosecution grew out of the Attorney General’s broader clergy abuse inquiry, proof that coming forward can trigger real consequences. Survivors who report may help both their own case and protect other children.
The Allegations Against Father Joseph Baker
Where He Served
Baker was ordained in 1993 and served as pastor of St. Perpetua in Waterford Township. He was removed in June 2019 pending investigation into allegations that he sexually abused a child early in his ministry.
What Was Proven in Court
Published records indicate that Baker was arrested on July 8, 2019, and charged with sexual-conduct penetration of a person under age 13. His accuser stated that Baker raped him in a storage closet at St. Mary’s in Wayne in 2004, when the boy was a second-grader preparing for First Communion. A jury convicted Baker in October 2022, and he was sentenced on March 1, 2023, to 3 to 15 years in prison. Because this case ended in conviction, the facts above are established by the criminal justice system, not merely alleged.
Criminal vs. Civil Sexual Abuse Cases
Criminal Cases
The state prosecuted Baker criminally, and he was convicted and imprisoned. Criminal cases punish the offender but do not compensate the survivor.
Civil Lawsuits
Civil lawsuits belong to survivors and seek financial recovery for therapy, medical care, pain and suffering, and emotional harm. A conviction can substantially strengthen a civil case, and claims may be brought against both the convicted priest and the archdiocese that employed him.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases in Michigan
Under Michigan Legislature §600.5805, survivors generally have ten years, or until age 28, whichever is later, to file a civil sexual abuse lawsuit. Michigan imposes no time limit on first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges.
Even with a conviction on record, civil deadlines still apply, so survivors should act promptly. An attorney can confirm how much time remains on your claim.
View All Accused Clergy in Michigan
Pursue Justice With Help From White Law PLLC
When an archdiocese assigns a priest who goes on to abuse a child, it may be liable for negligent supervision, inadequate screening, or ignoring warning signs. Survivors can recover damages for medical and psychological treatment, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Call White Law PLLC at (517) 316-1195 for a free, confidential consultation. We handle clergy abuse claims on contingency, no recovery, no fee.
Profiles summarize published records and allegations. Inclusion does not constitute a legal finding.