Pastor Accused of Failing to Report Sex Abuse

WESH
July 18, 2014

http://www.wesh.com/news/pastor-accused-of-failing-to-report-sex-abuse/27022972#!bikMv3

A Winter Springs pastor has been arrested and charged with failing to report child sexual abuse.

Two members of his church are charged in connection with the sexual abuse of three young girls that allegedly went on for seven years.

According to deputies, one of the victims told Fellowship Church Pastor Cesar Chin that she was being sexually abused. Chin provided counseling but never reported it to police, deputies said.

The lead pastor of the church, Roger Diaz, says when Chin told him about ongoing child sex abuse among members of his following, he knew what reporting it would bring.

"This was an incredible weight on me because here goes an entire family, completely decimated," said Diaz.

But Diaz knew the law required Chin to stop covering for the suspect.

"The night I met with him and his wife, I told him, 'You have to tell the truth to the police. Don't hide anything,'" said Diaz.

Initially, Seminole County investigators say Chin lied to them and missed a chance to put a stop the children's suffering a year ago.

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"We are all mandated reporters. If we have knowledge of abuse, we are obligated by the law to report it," said Kim Cannaday, with the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

Chin said he never reported it because he didn't have proof, deputies said.

Chin was released on $3,000 bond.