Alleged Abuse in Deacon's Treehouse Shocks Neighbors

By Erica Rodriguez, Orlando Sentinel
Orlando Sentinel
March 29, 2014

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-church-deacon-child-sex-abuse-20140328,0,7573475.story

The elaborate two-story treehouse behind Thomas Warren Halsey's Leesburg home from a distance appears a quiet hideaway tucked into the sprawling branches of a moss-covered backyard tree.

But it's where Lake County sheriff's investigators think the 65-year-old church deacon sexually abused a girl younger than 10.

Halsey had been a deacon with First Baptist Church of Leesburg for the past two years, said Art Ayris, the church's executive pastor, but is now being removed from that position. Halsey turned himself in Friday at the Lake County Jail, where he remains without bond.

In an interview with investigators, the girl said Halsey had her perform sex acts in the treehouse and under the sheets on his bed. The girl told investigators the abuse was "creepy." None of the incidents happened on church grounds.

In speaking with investigators, Halsey accused the girl of more than once touching him inappropriately without consent — once under the covers in his bed and again while he held her baby sister.

Among church members, Ayris said Halsey has a "very good reputation" for being a "hard worker" and supportive of his wife, who is also active in the church. Friday's allegations came as a surprise.

As a deacon, Halsey would administer communion and help fix widows' homes. Halsey, a church member for more than 10 years, also works as a truck driver for the church's thrift store. Ayris said Halsey passed a background check for that job but did not work with children. The church is one of the most prominent in Lake County, with 3,500 members.

The treehouse had been on the property for years, according to neighbors. Saturday afternoon, no one appeared to be inside Halsey's home, though curtains were pulled open and inside lights were on.

"It's kind of shocking," said 74-year-old Lita Brown, who lives two houses away. "He looked like a nice guy. A deacon at church!"