LDS Bishop Charged with Failure to Report Abuse, KSL, November 19, 2011

LDS Bishop Charged with Failure to Report Abuse

KSL
November 19, 2011

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=960&sid=18147958

Misdemeanor failure to report abuse charges were filed against an LDS bishop Friday.

Police had said earlier in the week that they anticipated that Amado Rojas, 32, would be charged with failure to report the abuse of a child, a class B misdemeanor, even though the alleged abuse case was dropped.

According to court records, the charges were filed in the Provo City Justice Court Friday and an arraignment hearing was set for Jan. 6.

A 13-year-old girl reported that she was at a church activity when she was groped by a 30-year-old man, police said. The girl reported the incident to the bishop before going directly to police.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement in light of the incident reporting that the church has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to abuse.

"Congregational leaders are instructed to obey the law and have access to a 24-hour helpline to assist them," according to the statement. "We contacted local authorities as soon as we learned of the situation and will continue to work with them until it is resolved."

Though sexual abuse charges that were filed against the 30-year-old man were later dismissed after witnesses said the touching appeared to be accidental, police and prosecutors decided to proceed with charges against the bishop to send a message about the importance of reporting abuse.

Utah law requires that when someone "has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, or who observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, that person shall immediately notify the nearest peace officer, law enforcement agency, or office of the division."

It states that a clergyman or priest who learns of abuse from the confession of the perpetrator is not liable unless they also receive information from the alleged victim.

Email: emorgan@ksl.com