January 05, 2005

Mormon volunteer nabbed for alleged sexual abuse of boy

METHUEN (MA)
Boston Herald

By O’Ryan Johnson
Wednesday, January 5, 2005

A man who volunteered to watch youngsters at a Mormon church in Methuen was arrested yesterday for repeatedly sexually abusing a boy in his care, police Chief Joseph E. Solomon said.

Kevin Curlew, 43, of Dracut volunteered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Hill Street in Methuen, where his job was to care for parishioners' children when they attended services and activities.

But Solomon said since July, Curlew had singled out at least one of the boys in his care, abusing him on sacred ground. Solomon declined to release the boy's age or hometown.

``We were involved because the abuse occurred at the church which is in Methuen,'' Solomon said.

He said a tip to the Essex District Attorney's Office made under the state's mandatory reporting law led to the arrest.

Posted by kshaw at January 5, 2005 07:05 AM