BishopAccountability.org
	Shifflett Case Stirs Concern By Liz Mitchell Culpeper Star Exponent [Virginia] March 10, 2006 http://www.starexponent.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename= CSE/MGArticle/CSE_MGArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137834630113 There's a new twist in the ongoing case of Charles Shifflett that worries Chad Robison - the first person to come forward identifying himself as a victim. Shifflett, 54, is pastor of First Baptist Church of Culpeper and faces eight charges related to child abuse and endangerment for incidents that occurred nearly 20 years ago at Calvary Baptist Church and its private school. In Wednesday's Free Lance-Star, a statement by Culpeper County Sheriff H. Lee Hart suggested the possibility of the victims' parents being charged for allowing their children to attend Calvary Baptist Academy, if Shifflett is found guilty. However, Hart said Thursday that not all of his statements were included in the paper. "The bottom line is it depends on the circumstances," Hart said regarding future charges in the case. "The parents would have to had been a witness or withholding the information. It depends on the circumstances and it would be up to the Commonwealth's Attorney to make that final decision." Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Close said charges against the victims' parents are unlikely. "I do not intend to prosecute any parents," Close said. "And furthermore it is hard for me to foresee any situation where that might occur." Lisa Peacock, Director of Child Protective Services, whose agency has assisted the Sheriff's Office in its investigations, said to be negligent parents would have had to witness the alleged abuse or have had knowledge of it happening without acting to protect their children. She also did not foresee CPS pursuing any charges against the alleged victims' parents and said her primary concern is investigating the possibility of children being harmed recently. "We also assisted the investigators in interviewing the adults because they were children at the time," Peacock said. "I can't imagine there would be CPS investigations brought against the parents on our part." Robison, 29, worried the incomplete comments would prevent other potential victims from coming forward and possibly bring the case to a standstill. He asks other children who may have been hurt to understand their parents would only be charged if they witnessed a crime. "We need everybody who was victimized to come forward," Robison said. "We need all of you to make this case rock solid so he does not have a chance to hurt any more kids." Robison encourages potential victims not to be afraid and to know they have people who will listen to their stories. He also asks people to contact investigators if they have any information that could prevent other children from becoming victims of possible physical and sexual abuse. "There are five of us now and we are all here for whoever wants to come forward," Robison said. "We are going to stick this one out and justice will be served. I want the kids who want to come forward to not do it out of anger but for the welfare of the other kids and for the other kids that aren't able to speak up and won't speak up. Definitely keep your heart right and don't do it for anger or hatred, do it for the right reasons." Liz Mitchell can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 110 or emitchell@starexponent.com.
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