Northumberland County pastor charged with not reporting sexual abuse incident

By John Beauge
PennLive
September 7, 2016

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/09/northumberland_county_pastor_c.html

PAXINOS — The pastor of a Northumberland County church has been charged with failing to report to authorities an alleged sexual abuse incident.

Gregory L. Clendaniel, 53, of Paxinos, was charged Tuesday, as was the man who is alleged to have committed the abuse.

Clendaniel, as the pastor of the Augustaville Wesleyan Church, is required by law to report sexual abuse incidents, state police said. 

The arrest affidavit states Seth S. Sparrer, 22, of Middleburg, was one of the adult chaperons on a July 13 field trip to Knoebels Amusement Resort.

On the return trip from the park, Sparrer is accused of holding the hand of a 14-year-old girl, kissing her and touching her breast over her clothes.

Clendaniel was made aware of the situation July 17, conducted interviews and told the church officials and attorney who advised him to report it to authorities, the charge states.

He told police he regrets not reporting it, the affidavit states.

The girl told her mother on Aug. 6 and she reported it to police, court documents state.

Sparrer, who is autistic but with clearances to chaperon youngsters, is charged with corruption of minors and indecent assault.

He told police he was looking for a girlfriend and admitted holding hands and kissing her, the affidavit states.