Autistic teen's mother questions priest in challenge of restraining order

Mother of autistic child puts priest on stand.

Last update: June 24, 2008 - 7:38 PM

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LONG PRAIRIE, MINN. -- A woman who says her autistic child should be allowed to attend church services put her Roman Catholic priest on the stand during a court hearing Tuesday.

The Church of St. Joseph in Bertha, Minn., obtained a restraining order against Adam Race, 13, claiming he was disruptive and dangerous at mass.

His mother, Carol Race, is fighting the restraining order. She represented herself at the hearing, questioning the Rev. Daniel Walz for 30 minutes.

Walz acknowledged that he did not witness all of the alleged disruptions but said he believes they happened.

Walz said in his affidavit for obtaining the restraining order that Adam, who is more than 6 feet tall and weighs more than 225 pounds, had urinated and spit during mass. The priest wrote that Adam bolts unexpectedly from church and has nearly knocked people over.

Under questioning from Race, Walz said many of the incidents were reported to him by parishioners.

One witness, church member Don Halbrehder, said he regularly sits next to the Races. He said he wasn't bothered by Adam's behavior. Asked about Adam's noises, Halbrehder laughed and said: "Father Dan talks loud enough. He's over the top of everyone else."

Walz's lawyer, Thomas Jenson, did not call any witnesses. Judge Sally Ireland Robertson said she will rule later.

ASSOCIATED PRESS