New Jersey Priest Accused of Pointing Gun at 8-Year-Old

— -- A New Jersey priest was jailed after he was accused of pointing a gun at an 8-year-old before services at his church.

Father Kevin Carter allegedly took an 8-year-old to a rectory room at the St. Margaret of Cortona Roman Catholic Church in Little Ferry, New Jersey, and told the child to stand against the wall, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said.

Carter then "retrieved a long gun from nearby and pointed it at the child with an indication that he would shoot him," the prosecutor's office said in a press release.

The gun was described as a functioning Civil War-style musket, according to the prosecutor's office.

The alleged incident took place before Sunday services on Sept. 13 after the boy arrived at church with his family, and was "witnessed by several individuals that were standing outside of the room," the prosecutor's office reported.

A parishioner of the church then reported the alleged incident to the Newark Archdiocese on Sept. 25, the Archdiocese told the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office on Sept. 28.

Authorities found Carter at the rectory on Friday and "a search of his room located the weapon in question, as well as gun powder, ammunition and associated items for the gun," the prosecutor's office said.

Carter, 54, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm. Bail was set at $15,000.

It was unclear whether Carter has an attorney. The Archdiocese of Newark did not immediately respond to a request for comment.