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	Grand Jury Indicted Rodgerson Kirksville Daily Express June 22, 2009 http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/news/x1686364280/Grand-Jury-indicted-Rodgerson KIRKSVILLE — Kirksville City Councilman Aaron Rodgerson was indicted by the Adair County Grand Jury Friday for misdemeanor charges of failure to report abuse or neglect of a child under the age of 18 years of age as a mandated reporter, and unlawfully engaging in the practice of law. Rodgerson, 34, was arrested Friday night at 8:12 p.m. at 1010 W. Burton Street. He bonded out a little more than two hours later. According to court documents, law enforcement officials responded to a hotline call on or about May 6, describing a malnourished 10-month-old baby. Rodgerson, the pastor at Southside Baptist Church, failed to report any abuse to the proper authorities. The infant is the child of Elisabeth and Nathaniel Burns and weighed 10 pounds at the time of the incident. According to Prosecuting Attorney Mark Williams, Nathaniel Burns is an associate pastor at Rodgerson’s church. “The indictment came from the Grand Jury after Burns’ case and after looking at other pieces of evidence,” Williams said. The Burns’ were charged with endangering the welfare of a child Friday and have since posted bond. Rodgerson is considered a Mandated Reporter because of his position as a pastor. The title is given to ministers who have the responsibility of caring for children. If a mandated reporter is aware of neglect or abuse, they are obligated to notify authorities. Once authorities responded to the call, the documents state Rodgerson told the mother and Deputy Chief Tim King that officers could not come into the mother’s home or inspect the child, as that would be a violation of her “6th Amendment rights”?and “that we (law enforcement)?used the law to protect the child and violate the rights of the adult.” The 6th Amendment is as follows:? “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.” Rodgerson could not be reached for comment Monday.
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