(OH)
WSYX-TV, ABC-6 [Columbus OH]
February 12, 2025
By Kate Siefert
LICKING COUNTY, Ohio (WSYX) — A former staff member of Faith Life Church has come forward to describe what she called “questionable behavior” she said she witnessed during her time at the church, as an investigation into alleged abuse by a former church leader is underway.
On Monday, the Licking County Sheriff’s Office said it had taken over an investigation regarding the allegations.
Reports ABC6 obtained through a public records request from BCI and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office revealed one woman’s allegations of sexual abuse when she was a juvenile. No charges have been filed.
The case had initially belonged to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, but due to a conflict of interest, it had to recuse itself from investigating.
Knox County Sheriff Daniel Weckesser said it handed the case over to the state’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation at the State Attorney General’s Office. A spokesperson for Ohio BCI said their office also had a conflict of interest and could not investigate the case. The Licking County Sheriff’s Office accepted the case on Feb. 7 and said it has assigned Detectives to investigate.
A former staff member of the church, who asked to remain anonymous, recounted seeing what she called questionable behavior by a male church staff member.
“I saw a male member of the church staff talking in, not in total seclusion with younger girls, but often, like, in a distant hallway where there is nothing going on that side of the building,” she said. “It was one of those things like something in my gut was telling me that something didn’t seem right.”
She said on multiple occasions, she tried to address her concerns about what she said she saw.
“I actually thought I was protecting that staff member by saying, hey, this doesn’t look right, and you know, the optics could come back and bite that person,” she said. “But it was shut down really fast. The culture there was very much, you have to be a yes man. You do what they say. You don’t ask questions.”
Over the last few weeks, the investigation has gained momentum on social media as some of the alleged victims have used the platform to share their stories.
The former staff member expressed her support for those individuals, saying, “I don’t care if I know them or not. That’s not the issue. None of this should’ve happened in the first place, and they deserve to know that they are supported.”
“I want justice for the victims,” the former staff member said. “I want accountability, and I want reckoning to come, and I want them to be held accountable.”
In an email to ABC6 on Feb. 12, the Licking County Sheriff’s Office assured that the case would be investigated thoroughly.
“We encourage anyone who believes they have relevant information concerning this case to contact the Licking County Sheriff’s Office, even if you have had prior contact with other Law Enforcement concerning this matter,” Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said in a news release.
The Licking County Sheriff’s Office said people can call the numbers below:
- Detective Captain Jay Cook – 740-670-5537
- Detective Lieutenant Gus Moore – 740-670-5564
ABC6 has reached out to Faith Life Church and has not heard back. An attorney for the church sent a statement which said
“Faith Life Church is aware of the serious allegations concerning past conduct involving one of our church leaders’ family. Faith Life wants to clarify that there are no allegations against Pastors Gary or Drenda Keesee or any of our other pastors. Our leadership and pastors are fully committed to truth and transparency and are prepared to cooperate fully with law enforcement in any way necessary.”