An Alabama heartthrob who fled to Rome with an 18-year-old girl he allegedly cared for has been accused of taking her phone and blocking attempts to take her home.
Alex Crow, 30, was ousted from office in July after fleeing to Italy with the girl, who was 17 when alleged contacting began after she met Crow at a school where he also worked.
A lawyer for her family has now claimed that relatives traveled to Rome and tracked down the girl – but Crow, who once boasted about having been exorcised, refused to cooperate and called the police instead.
Attorney Christine Hernandez said he “restricted” the girl’s communications with the outside world.
She also said other parents have reported disturbing incidents involving Crow and her children during school and church trips, including allegations that he paid some students to attend his confessions, where they share details of their sins with him would.
Alex Crow, 30, was ousted from office in July after fleeing to Italy with the girl, who was 17 when the alleged pairing began
The former priest is accused of grooming the young woman after meeting her at the school she attended and is said to have now banned her from returning to the US with her family
The claims come a week after the release of letters Crow wrote to the teenager he left for Rome with. He told the girl they were married, adding, “I’ve never felt the same feelings for you or anyone in my entire life.”
In another letter to an unknown associate, he claimed that Jesus told him to travel to Italy with the girl.
Hernandez told NBC15, “There have been previous reports from parents regarding inappropriate behavior.”
“If you don’t stay in the group and stay behind with a certain student, and everyone knows you’re staying behind in the shack with that one certain student. Why? And if it is reported, why has nothing been done?
She said around two dozen parents have shared worrying accounts of Crow’s behavior. On a trip to Tennessee in 2022, other students reported that he spent a suspicious amount of time alone with a female student.
Hernandez said Crow is also accused of giving alcohol to students.
Leaders in the Archdiocese of Mobile are wondering if they could have acted to stop Crow from nursing the girl and fleeing with her.
Police have recently released letters – including a love letter to the 18-year-old girl in question – which make it clear he has no intention of returning to Alabama.
One is addressed to an unidentified man whom Crow says has been “entrusted”. [the] “Letter” from the woman, while the other is addressed to the woman herself.
The former father – who said he was exorcised as a child – explains in the first letter why he “abandoned” his duties as a priest at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church and hints he believes he and the girl are instructed by Jesus to leave Mobile.
In the second, he gushes to the girl – who he allegedly met when she was a student – about how in love she was, while claiming they are “married.”
The letters were written before the couple’s departure.
Father Alex Crow – who once claimed he was the subject of a “little exorcism” – is on the run with a former student at McGill-Toolen High School in Alabama
The letters released by the Mobile County Police Department — including a love letter to the 18-year-old girl in question (not pictured) — make it clear that 30-year-old Alex Crow has no intention of returning to Alabama
The first undated letter reveals the then-priest’s belief that Jesus contacted him in July and told him to leave town with the girl he said he had met when she was a student.
It is addressed to an unknown man named Joshua and reads: “Dear Joshua…” [Name redacted] said that this letter should be entrusted to you.
“She said she loves you very much and that you are trustworthy.” I agree. What I will write is what you told me. It will be difficult for you to understand what I’m doing, but don’t worry. One day everything will make sense.’
Crow, who was a musician before taking office at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, continued, “Jesus told me that he wanted me to go, so I will not return from this journey.” It is with a heavy heart that I do this.
“It’s hard to suddenly leave everything behind, but that’s what He asks, and I can’t deny Him anything.”
He continued to insist that he did not give up his priesthood by going on the run with the girl, whose family came forward three weeks ago claiming they had located the couple in Italy and the young woman left of her own accord with crow.
“Let me be very clear: I am not leaving the priesthood,” Crow wrote, before being relieved of his duties to the Archdiocese of Mobile – which a minister recently said he had already “given up” in moving.
“I will never forsake my sacred duties,” the disgraced church official continued. “The priesthood is the greatest gift Jesus ever gave me, and I will cherish that gift forever.”
“That means it’s his priesthood and he can do with me as he pleases.”
In the second, he gushes to the girl – who he allegedly met when she was a student – about how he was in love, while claiming they are “married.”
The letter was sent on Valentine’s Day of that year, when the girl was still a senior at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. She was reportedly 17 at the time
During an initial investigation, officers discovered a love letter between Crow and the teen from Valentine’s Day when she was still in high school
“His will be done.”
Crow ended the letter by claiming that Christ also told the girl to come along [him].’
“We know what this looks like, but we do as we’re told.” Don’t worry about defending ourselves. “It is difficult for her too, but she knows that if she does the will of Jesus, she will always be safe,” the pastor wrote.
“We will always be thinking and praying for you all, especially our families and friends. Please pray for us too. We need it. In Christ, Rev. Alexander Crow.’
Police at the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office did not say exactly when the correspondence was sent, but it likely arrived shortly before the Archdiocese of Mobile reported the priest to the district attorney’s office, on the grounds that it constituted “completely unseemly conduct by a priests”.
The second letter, sent on Valentine’s Day this year, was sent when the girl was still a senior at McGill-Toolen Catholic High School. She was reportedly 17 at the time.
‘Dear [redacted]’, it begins. “As I write this I still have eye dilation so my apologies if this is difficult to read.” As I write this I can barely read what I am writing. Ha!
“First things first, I love you and I thank Jesus for you every day.” You have made my life astronomically more complicated and incredibly better at the same time. You are his gift to me.’
Crow continued to write about his relationship with the teen before they entered into a romantic relationship, referring to himself as a “father” who was tasked with protecting her.
At one point he writes: “You are mine – no one else’s, and I will always be a father to you until I die.”
A subsequent passage suggests that the couple eventually married.
Police are looking for a now-sacked “heartbeat priest” who allegedly fled to Italy with an 18-year-old woman who police say groomed when he was a high school student
Crow was a pastor of Corpus Christi Catholic Church (pictured) in Mobile, Alabama
The Archdiocese of Mobile removed Crow (pictured in October 2020) from office in July after saying he had given up his post at the Corpus Christi Catholic Church
It says, “Now we’re in love and married!” I’ve never been in love before (and never been married, of course!) and I’ve never felt the same feelings for you or anyone in my entire life.
“I promise I’ll love you as much as I can every day.”
The hyped statement contradicts statements made by the officer who unveiled the note, Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch, who claimed three days ago that Crow had “groomed a few other young girls” in addition to the 18-year-old.
Speaking on Fox Nation’s Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, Burch said that Crow used to be linked to a woman who was “best friends” with the woman who dated him and that he already has arrest warrants out could be filed against him week.’
The letter, which Burch released the same day, went on to say, “I’m sorry I can’t give you a ‘normal’ Valentine’s Day this year.” All I wanted to do was buy you flowers, but out of fear I couldn’t before a scandal.
“I almost stole something from the statue of Mary, but there were too many people,” he admits.
It ends with a passage that makes it clear that the couple had already planned their trip abroad by that point.
“I know you want to make out, so I’ll finish this.” “When we’re together, with our family in Italy (!!!), we’re going to have so many wonderful and normal Valentine’s days, but for now: Happy Valentines day.”
“You are the most beautiful girl that ever lived and I will always tell you that.” You are perfect and precious and, next to Jesus, the most wonderful thing I have ever seen or held in my two hands.
‘I will Always Love You, [redacted].’
The update in this case comes almost a month after the Archdiocese of Mobile impeached Crow, a former rock musician, after saying he had given up his post in the Mobile parish.
Crow himself is a graduate of McGill-Toolen and later attended a seminary called St. Joseph before receiving his Masters of Divinity in Indiana.
The ousted minister also attended Sant’ Anselmo in Rome, Italy, where he received a BA in Sacred Theology and delved deeply into demons and exorcisms.
In lectures published online, Crow discussed at length his fascination with possession and other supernatural encounters.
“I grew up in a weird home, both family-wise, but a lot of weird things happen in the house too,” he said during a July 2022 podcast appearance.
“You could hear things moving or banging in different rooms.” “As a kid, I would see things from time to time, always thinking I was kind of over the top or just obsessing over things,” Crow said at the time .
The ousted minister also attended Sant’Anselmo in Rome, Italy, where he received a BA in Sacred Theology and delved deeply into demons and exorcisms
Before joining the Church, Crow (pictured) fronted a band called Alex Crow & The Altar Boys that played in the Mobile, Alabama area
The former Church member also described a time when he had health issues like chest pains and migraines. The cause could not be determined, he said.
Crow claimed he underwent a “minor exorcism” and initially had a “negative reaction” but “immediately felt better once the exorcism was over.”
The young woman’s parents were due to hold a press conference on Thursday but canceled the event over fears for their daughter’s safety.
“They are afraid that something might happen to their daughter,” attorney Christine Hernandez told NBC 15 News.
“She’s dating someone who the sheriff’s office considers a predator,” she said.
After the couple were spotted in Italy, the young woman reportedly told a family member that she “went with him of her own free will.”
She also reportedly insisted that there was no romantic relationship between them and that they lived in separate bedrooms.
Police investigations are still ongoing. has reached out to the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office for comment.