Father Joseph Baker: Clergy Sexual Predator Profile

Father Joseph “Jack” Baker was ordained in 1993. He then served as a priest to several churches in the Metro Detroit area for almost 30 years, including pastor and associate pastor assignments at Saint Perpetua Parish in Waterford, St. Mary Parish in Wayne, Sacred Heart Parish in Dearborn, and Saint Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills.

In October 2004, Father Baker raped a seven-year-old boy in a church sacristy in Wayne, MI. Afterward, Father Baker told the boy that the assault was “his own sin” and used his mantle of authority to shame the boy into silence.

In 2019, Father Baker was restricted from all public ministry.

Nearly two decades after the initial assault, Father Baker’s young victim—now 26—agreed to testify against him. Father Baker was convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with sexual penetration and is being held in the Wayne County jail awaiting sentencing. He faces up to 25 years in prison.

At Sommers Schwartz, personal injury attorneys Lisa Esser-Weidenfeller, Matthew Curtis, and Jay Yasso are fighting for sexual abuse survivors. Our firm has recovered millions from high-profile predators such as Dr. Larry Nassar—Michigan State University and USAG team physician—and Dr. Robert Anderson, who sexually abused students, athletes, and other patients for over thirty-five years at the University of Michigan.

If Father Baker or another ecclesiastical leader has sexually abused you, don’t wait. Contact Sommers Schwartz for a free consultation and let our experienced attorneys help pursue your case with the compassion, empathy, and sensitivity your story deserves.