Boy charged with lying about abuse by priest

UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — Prosecutors have charged a 14-year-old boy with making false sexual abuse claims against a retired priest.

The boy told authorities about two weeks ago that Monsignor H. Charles Sewall had recently molested him. But investigators found inconsistencies in his story and the boy recanted, prosecutor Michael Arcuri said Friday.

Because the boy will be prosecuted as a juvenile, Arcuri would not identify him, name the charges filed or specify the allegations he had made against Sewall. Arcuri also would not disclose the boy's motives.

"There were some circumstances in this individual's life that prompted it," he said.