MISSISSIPPI
The Commercial Dispatch
Sarah Fowler
September 1, 2012
In the days and months following the Penn State sex abuse scandal, people across the country seemed to be asking the same question: “How can something like this go unreported for so long?” Jerry Sandusky was allowed unfettered access to his young victims while reports of the abuse were quickly and quietly silenced, never reaching authorities.
In the state of Mississippi, there are laws that hold those in a position of authority or trust to a higher standard, requiring they report any suspected abuse to the Department of Human Services.
Section 43-21-353 of the Mississippi Code states: “Any attorney, physician, dentist, intern, resident, nurse, psychologist, social worker, child care-giver, minister, law enforcement officer, public or private school employee, or any other person having reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a neglected child or an abused child, shall cause an oral report to be made immediately by telephone or otherwise and followed as soon thereafter as possible by a report in writing to the Department of Human Services.”
During the recent trial of local businessman and Sunday school teacher Benny Shelton, a pastor testified that he was aware of the allegation of sexual abuse. Eastview Baptist Church Pastor Junior Eads told both prosecutors and defense attorneys that he had a conversation with Shelton’s young victim during which the boy stated that Shelton had fondled him.
Eads testified that he did not believe the teen and approached Shelton, telling the Sunday school teacher the boy was making “allegations” against Shelton. He then instructed Shelton to talk to the boy’s parents. The pastor did not contact DHS, law enforcement or the boy’s mother. Shelton continued to have a relationship with his victim for months after the boy first spoke with Eads.
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