A Catholic priest who previously served several parishes in Manhattan has been arrested on child sex crime charges stemming from an investigation in Republic County.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said agents arrested Father Ryan A. McCandless, 44, of Wichita, just after 5 p.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 2100 block of South Erie Street in Wichita. The Sedgwick County Fugitive Warrant Unit assisted with the arrest.
McCandless was arrested on a warrant charging him with three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
According to the KBI, the Republic County Sheriff’s Office requested the agency’s assistance on Sept. 15, 2025. Investigators allege McCandless sexually abused a 6-year-old child in Belleville between July and September 2025.
The Catholic Diocese of Salina suspended McCandless from ministry after learning of the allegations.
McCandless most recently served as pastor of St. Edward Parish in Belleville, St. George Parish in Munden and St. Isidore Parish in Cuba.
Before those assignments, he served in several Kansas communities, including Manhattan, where he was assigned to Seven Dolors Parish, Manhattan Catholic Schools and St. Isidore Catholic Student Center. He also previously served parishes in Hays, Mankato, Concordia and Esbon.
Following his arrest, McCandless was booked into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility and is expected to be transferred to the Republic County Jail.
The KBI said the investigation remains ongoing and is asking anyone with information related to the case to contact the agency at 1-800-KS-CRIME or submit an anonymous tip through its online reporting system.
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