ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A 62-year-old man who said he’s a priest at a Hindu temple was arrested after allegations he inappropriately touched a girl there, an affidavit states.

Ram Datt Upadhyay, of the 1500 block of North Lawnwood Circle in Fort Pierce, was arrested Wednesday by St. Lucie County sheriff’s investigators on a felony charge of cruelty toward a child.

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The girl identified as the victim on Nov. 12 told a deputy she went to the Vedic Cultural Society Hindu Temple three days earlier to fulfill requirements in a world religions class.

The temple is in the 400 block of Ulrich Road.

She said a man later identified as Upadhyay spoke to her about the Hindu religion and looked at her chest several times.

“She said the suspect mentioned how she had beautiful characteristics and mentioned her future romantic life and that he was drawn to her,” the affidavit states.

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She said he told her he loved her and wanted to take her to a room where there were no cameras.

She said he began kissing her and touching her inappropriately.

Upadhyay confirmed with investigators he interacted with the victim.

He told investigators he told the girl he loved her and dreamed of her.

“It could have been we were in a past life,” he said.

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He said he told the girl he “had a special love for her,” the affidavit states. He also said he asked if he could text her or get her phone number.

He also said he was on probation.

Upadhyay was released Wednesday from the St. Lucie County Jail on $3,750 bail, a jail official said.

Attempts to reach temple officials were unsuccessful Thursday.

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