BishopAccountability.org
	Elders of Amish Community Knew of Child Molestation By Brian Richardson Ozarks First October 15, 2009 http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=197201 [with video] A week-old molestation case has expanded drastically. The Webster County Sheriff's Department is set to question elders of an Amish community. It's accused of knowing two girls were being molested and never contacting police. Detectives are calling the case "scary" because the people meant to protect children never stepped up. Prosecutors charged 47-year-old Fannie Schwartz of Seymour with two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor. She's the wife of Johnny Schwartz. Last week he was arrested and charged with four counts of statutory sodomy, and two counts of first degree child molestation. Instead of focusing charges on just a couple, investigators are focusing on an entire community. What started as molestation charges against Johnny Schwartz quickly expanded. The Webster County Sheriff's Department learned Fannie knew about two abused little girls "Basically failed to protect them," Sheriff Roye Cole said. Court documents show Johnny repeatedly took two underage girls to the couple's home in Seymour. There he had deviate sexual intercourse with one, and inappropriately touched the other. The Sheriff's Department believes this molestation has been going on for several years and other parts of the Amish community knew about it. "It's scary," Sheriff Cole said. "It's sad is what it is." The probable cause statement Johnny confessed about his molestation to his church two years ago. Bishops shunned Johnny, hoping the problems would go away. Because the abuse continued, the Sheriff's Department plans to meet with community elders. "You didn't allow the prosecutor or the sheriff or the court to have any involvement what so ever," Cole said. "Your way didn't work because it happened again. We need to make sure we would do it the way the law would have us do it." Where they could decide if more charges are necessary. "You're looking at all types of different religious issues that may be involved and confidentiality rules that maybe in play," Sheriff Cole said. The Sheriff's Department says another problem is the Amish children's education. Cole says he's not sure if they have proper access to emergency help, or if they know the right outlets if they're in trouble. The Sheriff hopes to address these issues with community leaders Friday.
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