PERTH AMBOY — A church volunteer is charged with improperly touching a 16-year-old boy at the church during religious school classes.

Luis Felipe Batista, 21, of Perth Amboy, was a volunteer at the Holy Trinity Church as a hall monitor for the past five years, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey. He is alleged to have improperly touched the boy on numerous occasions during the fall of 2015.

Batista, who was 19 at the time of the incidents, was charged with third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

A statement from the Diocese of Metuchen said it was "disturbed and saddened by this allegation." With the investigation ongoing the diocese will be cooperating with law enforcement and with the investigation process. "The diocese is committed to being as transparent and open as possible about this matter with members of the community."

The diocese also offered "our deepest prayers for all parties affected by this matter, especially the alleged victim and his family."

Carey asked anyone with information about the incident to call the Prosecutor's Office at 732-442-4400.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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