OREGON
KATU
By Chelsea Kopta
PORTLAND, Ore. – Police are asking for help finding more potential victims of a man accused of sexually abusing a teenage boy who baby sat his children.
Joseph William Wehage, 39, has been charged with 11 felonies: seven counts of first-degree sodomy; two counts of second-degree attempted sodomy; one count of first-degree attempted sodomy; and one count of second-degree sodomy.
At his arraignment Thursday, Wehage pleaded not guilty to all charges. His attorney filed a motion to have him released on his own recognizance but it was denied. A judge set Wehage’s bail at $2,030,000.
Detectives began an investigation in August after they said Wehage sexually abused the teen who worked as a baby sitter for Wehage’s family. Police said Wehage met the teen through a church both families attended, Evergreen Presbyterian, located in Beaverton.
Police believe Wehage might have more potential victims as baby sitters.
KATU went to Wehage’s listed address in Oregon, an apartment in Southwest Portland, but no one was home. It also talked to the church’s senior pastor but he said Wehage was not a member of the church and did not want to provide any further details.
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