By Rachel Barnhart
WHAM
September 29, 2010
http://www.13wham.com/news/local/story/Relative-of-Alleged-Victim-Details-Abuse/c-yLGnpb4UC9IBmDBhwHNA.cspx
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A pastor accused of sexually abusing a boy will return to court Thursday morning for an appearance with a new lawyer.
Pastor Joe Flowers was indicted on a felony charge of course of sexual conduct against a child. He remained in the Monroe County Jail Wednesday afternoon, with bail set at $25,000 cash and $50,000 bond.
Flowers, founder of Walk of Life Christian Center, is accused of molesting a boy under the age of 13 at his home for a period of three years. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
“I believed him, because it was just so detailed. I mean it couldn't have been stuff that was just made up,” said a relative of the alleged victim. “What the pastor told him was, ‘Do not tell your mother because she will beat you.’”
The relative, whom we are not identifying to protect the boy, said he used to attend Flowers’ church. He said he wasn’t surprised when he talked to the boy about what allegedly happened.
“No I wasn't surprised. It was always said about this man, since we first met him,” the relative said.
Prosecutors are looking into whether there are other victims, because Flowers oversaw a church attended by children.
Flowers lives in a house in Pittsford, where no one answered the door on Wednesday afternoon. His wife’s Facebook page has an album called “Photo Shoot,” featuring professional photographs of Flowers in various poses. His wife posted that her husband was trying to get into modeling.
The relative said the boy is not doing well.
“It's really bothering him. He's quiet. He likes to be to himself. If he is with others he doesn't really participate. I know it's bothering him. It's eating him up,” the relative said. “No child should go through this, no child.”
Email: rbarnhart@13wham.com
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