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Former Macomb County priest convicted of sexually assault will stay in prison, court rules
By Dane Kelly at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· June 24, 2026
· 1 min read
The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld the sentence of a former Shelby Township priest convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old.Neil Kalina was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2022 and was sentenced to 7-15 years behind bars. The Court of Appeals ordered a resentenci...
Key takeaway Neil Kalina was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2022 and was sentenced to 7-15 years behind bars.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The Michigan Court of Appeals' decision to uphold Neil Kalina's sentence brings a measure of closure to the community affected by his actions. As a former priest at St. Kieran Catholic Church in Shelby Township, Kalina's position of trust was exploited to commit a heinous crime against a 14-year-old. The fact that he was able to evade accountability for so long, until his arrest in California in 2019, raises questions about the mechanisms in place to prevent and detect such abuses of power. The court's affirmation of his 7-15 year sentence sends a clear message that such crimes will not be taken lightly. The case also highlights the need for continued vigilance and support for victims of sexual assault in Macomb County and beyond. As Kalina remains incarcerated at the Cooper Street Correctional Facility, the community can take some solace in the knowledge that justice has been served, and that efforts to prevent similar crimes will continue.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Michigan Court of Appeals has upheld the sentence of a former Shelby Township priest convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old.Neil Kalina was convicted of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2022 and was sentenced to 7-15 years behind bars. The Court of Appeals ordered a resentenci...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dane Kelly at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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