Ex-lds Church Employee Charged with Child Sex Abuse

By Cimaron Neugebauer
Salt Lake Tribune
August 18, 2012

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/54719907-78/church-bothell-child-female.html.csp

Timothy W. Bothell, 43, of Centerville, was charged with two counts of sex abuse of a child in Second District Court Friday. Courtesy: Davis County Jail.

Prosecutors charged a Centerville man, who is a former LDS Church employee, on Friday with sexually abusing two children and showing them his genitals several months ago.

Timothy William Bothell, 43, was charged in 2nd District Court with two counts of first-degree felony aggravated sexual abuse of a child stemming from incidents at a home between Dec. 1, 2011, and Aug. 9. He was also charged with four counts of lewdness involving a child, a class A misdemeanor.

LDS Church spokesman Scott Trotter said in a written statement, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind. Those found guilty of these actions are subject to the demands of the law and also face Church discipline. The welfare of victims is our utmost concern and Church leaders will continue to offer counseling and other resources to help in the healing process."

Sometime in the past nine months, Bothell allegedly touched the genitals of a minor female, and made the child touch his genitals also, according to court documents. During the same time, Bothell "intentionally or knowingly" exposed his genitals to the same female child and another female child on at least four separate occasions, court documents state.

After being interviewed by police Bothell admitted to touching the genitals of the female child and causing her to touch his penis. He told officers he "accidentally" exposed himself to the same two female children at least eight different times, according to court records.

Trotter said that Bothell was an employee of the church but is not any longer. Trotter also said that "neither [Bothell’s] current or former church positions play any part in this case."

In 2009, Bothell co-authored a magazine article in Meridian, an LDS magazine, on "raising children to feel and recognize the spirit."

He had worked for the church in the Missionary Department at the church office building since 2004 and previously worked as a faculty development coordinator for the Assessment of Student Learning at Brigham Young University, according to his LinkedIn online account. Bothell also has a bachelor’s degree and a doctorate in psychology from BYU.

Bothell waived his right to a preliminary hearing. His next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24. He is being held at the Davis County jail on $100,000 bail.

Contact: cimaron@sltrib.com