A donation drive at a Miami-Dade church ended in a physical confrontation when a 72-year-old priest and an older woman clashed over photography near a political poster, leading to felony charges against the priest and a brief hospital visit for the woman. The incident took place at St. Kevin Catholic Parish while the church was collecting aid for hurricane victims in Cuba. Police say the argument escalated from words to damage and an alleged battery during the November 5 encounter.
The woman had gone to the parish to drop off a donation and to take a photograph near a poster tied to anti-Cuba political messaging, according to accounts from witnesses and law enforcement. That simple act of snapping a picture triggered a confrontation with Father Jesus Saldaña, who police say told her she could not take photos there. Tension rose quickly as the woman asked for her donation to be returned and a verbal argument followed.
“The woman took photos of the father, and he lunged at her, which led to witnesses separating the two.” That moment is described as the flashpoint that moved the dispute from shouting to shoving, and it convinced bystanders to step in. Witness intervention briefly broke up the immediate scuffle, but the situation did not end there.
After the initial separation, police say Saldaña followed the woman to her vehicle and continued the confrontation outside the church grounds. Once at the car, officers allege he damaged parts of the vehicle, including the gear selector and the rearview mirror, actions that the woman later reported to authorities. The alleged damage is part of the criminal mischief count listed in the arrest report.
Authorities also reported that the priest searched the woman’s belongings, dumping out her purse as he looked for her phone, which witnesses say prompted a defensive reaction. In the chaos, the woman bit Saldaña on the wrist, producing a bite mark that factored into the charged events. Police say the interaction crossed into criminal territory when it involved the occupied vehicle and a senior citizen.
Officials charged Saldaña with burglary of an occupied conveyance, battery on a person 65 years or older, and criminal mischief for property damage of $200 or less. Those counts reflect both the alleged physical assault and the property damage reported at the scene. Given the victim’s age and the nature of the claimed destruction, prosecutors treated the case as more serious than a simple dispute.
The woman was taken to a hospital after the incident for cardiac concerns, though police reported she had no visible injuries upon examination. Even absent outward wounds, medical staff decided to monitor her because of underlying health risks often associated with older adults who undergo sudden stress. Her hospitalization added a medical dimension to what began as a disagreement over photography at a charity event.
Saldaña, 72, was arrested at the scene following the police response and later posted bond to secure his release pending further legal action. The pastor’s age and position make the charges notable and unexpected to many in the local community, where the parish had been focused on relief efforts for hurricane victims. The case now moves into the legal system, where evidence and witness testimony will determine next steps.
Parishioners and other witnesses are left sorting through a confusing moment that interrupted a charitable effort, and the church has had to address questions about what happened on site during a community drive. Officials did not provide detailed public commentary on internal handling or any disciplinary steps beyond the criminal charges. The incident raises questions about security, boundaries, and how quickly disagreements can escalate in charged environments.
Police filed the charges after reviewing witness statements, physical evidence, and medical reports, and the matter will proceed through the courts like any other criminal case. Neighbors and members of the parish are watching closely as legal proceedings unfold, with the focus on both accountability and the impact on a congregation engaged in humanitarian work. The story remains under investigation as authorities prepare the case for prosecution and possible court dates.
