Police link church tip to Northland child enticement case

By Kisha Henry
KMBC
May 19, 2015

http://www.kmbc.com/news/kc-diocese-issues-statement-on-suspicious-behavior-in-northland/33107166

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —Police have linked a child enticement investigation in the Park Hill School District to a tip from a Catholic church in Platte County.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Kansas City Catholic Diocese said that on May 13, the pastor at St. Therese parish was alerted to a parishioner's alleged behavior involving minors receiving gifts of iPhones for the purpose of exploitation. 

Police said the teenagers were offered phones and other incentives to do or look at sexually explicit acts. Police said there are at least six victims in the case.

Investigators said the man used the grounds at Prairie Point Elementary School to try to meet one child. Another alleged meeting spot is Riverside's Edge Gymnastics, which also alerted police after suspicious behavior.

Edge Gymnastics said the man didn't work at the gym, didn't volunteer there and none of the employees knew him. The manager said the man would come to the gym on Saturday nights during the open gym period this winter with a group of seven or eight boys.

The gym manager said the man claimed to be a coach for the boys, but usually worked on a computer while the boys worked out.

"You know, I think he did coach them in something because they all said he did, but I'm a little concerned that he could convince them to lie, maybe now hearing everything that's going on," said manager Chelsi Wong.

The Park Hill School District sent a warning to parents about the case, though it has no indication the man has any connection to the district.

Noella McCray has a granddaughter at Prairie Point Elementary School and said the case has generated a lot of discussion.

"My daughter called today and asked me to pick her up and she said, 'Mom, you need to be aware. There's been a situation in the neighborhood and we're all pretty concerned, so I want you to be very watchful when you go get her today,'" said McCray.

The diocese said that the pastor called the independent ombudsman, and they called  the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline and police.

"The subject of suspicion had been a volunteer in youth ministry at the parish from 2006-2008.  This person completed the required safe environment training by the Diocese in 2006. He is alleged to have contacted youth more lately in a variety of locations in the Northland not connected with the parish," according to a statement from the diocese.

Police said they have interviewed someone suspected in the case, but they have not made any arrests.

The diocese said that police asked that church officials not to release information until now because of the ongoing investigation.