KBI arrests Kansas priest for child sex crimes
SEDGWICK COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) arrested a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Salina for child sex crimes.
On Wednesday, July 22, at approximately 5:05 p.m., KBI agents arrested Father Ryan A. McCandless, 44, of Wichita, on an arrest warrant for three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. The arrest occurred at a residence in the 2100 block of S. Erie St. in Wichita. The Sedgwick County Fugitive Warrant Unit assisted with the arrest.
The Republic County Sheriff’s Office requested KBI assistance on Sept. 15, 2025. The charges allege that between July and September 2025, McCandless sexually abused a 6-year-old child in Belleville, Kansas. The Diocese of Salina suspended McCandless from ministry when they were made aware of the reported incidents.
Following his arrest, McCandless was booked into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility. He is expected to be transferred to the Republic County Jail.
McCandless had most recently been the pastor of three parishes in Republic County, Kansas: St. Edward Parish in Belleville, St. George Parish in Munden, and St. Isidore Parish in Cuba. Additionally, he previously served parishes in Hays, Manhattan, Mankato, Concordia and Esbon.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation is ongoing. No further information will be released at this time.
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