PORTLAND (OR)
The Oregonian
Sunday, July 03, 2005
NOELLE CROMBIE
A Portland couple is suing First Baptist Church of St. Johns, claiming the pastor ignored allegations that a church member molested their two daughters and two other girls, told the couple not to tell anyone about the allegations, then told the congregation during a Sunday service that the couple were evil.
Darla and Francois Pilon filed the lawsuit June 22 in Multnomah County Circuit Court. The suit alleges the pastor, Daniel Pulliam, intentionally inflicted emotional distress on them. The suit also alleges negligence and that Pulliam dissolved the church and transferred its assets after the Pilons made a claim against the church. The suit asks for $750,000 each for Darla and Francois Pilon, who worked at the church as a part-time secretary and custodian, respectively.
The church was located on North Chicago Avenue but has been dissolved.
Pulliam declined to comment about the lawsuit and the Pilons' claims.
The victims are girls who range in age from 11 to 17. The lawsuit alleged they were sexually abused on church property by a church member. The allegations are being investigated by police, according to a Multnomah County prosecutor.