Church Volunteer Accused of Sexual Abuse of 3-year-old

By Kathryn Burcham
WSOC
April 26, 2013

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/church-volunteer-accused-sexual-abuse-3-year-old/nXXwR/

[with video]

A Monroe church volunteer has been arrested on charges he sexually abused a 3-year-old girl during a church function.

Union County deputies arrested Christopher Broach Tuesday at his Monroe home on charges of indecent liberties and sex offense with a child.

Investigators said Broach was volunteering at the day care at a church function at Southbrook Church in Wesley Chapel in February when the alleged sexual abuse occurred.

Detectives said the victim later told her mother about the incident, sparking an investigation.

"We are following up with church and staff there and looking to see if there are any other incidents that occurred with any other children," said Capt. Ronnie Whitaker.

Church officials released a full statement saying they are praying for the family and cooperating with authorities. The lead pastor also said Broach had passed a mandatory background check for all volunteers.

Broach is a former employee of the Monroe Parks & Recreation Department. Thursday city officials said he resigned shortly after the alleged abuse after he was disciplined twice for work performance issues.

Officials said Broach was a part-time building attendant at the city community center, but said he did not have any direct or unsupervised contact with children there.

Broach also worked with Union County Public Schools' after-school program in 2005 and worked at Benton Heights Elementary School for nearly three years as a teacher's assistant, according to district officials.

Neighbors were stunned by the news of his arrest, telling Channel 9 the neighborhood has several families with young children.

"Just to know he's off the street when I bring my boys over here is good enough for me," said neighbor Denise Robinson.

Broach is in the Union County Jail on a $100,000 bond.