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Pastor Accused of Not Reporting Sexual Abuse Accepted into Ard Program

By John Beauge
PennLive
January 19, 2017

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/01/pastor_accused_of_not_reportin.html

The pastor of a Northumberland County church charged with failing to report to authorities an alleged sexual abuse incident has been accepted into a special probation program that does not require admission of guilt.

Gregory L. Clendaniel, 54, of Paxinos, on Thursday in Northumberland County court was accepted into the accelerated rehabilitative disposition program.

If he successfully completes terms of his probation he could apply to have his record expunged.

District Attorney Tony Matulewicz said he normally would not approve ARD in cases in which the victim was a minor, but there were issues when Clendaniel learned of the incident.

Clendaniel, as the pastor of the Augustaville Wesleyan Church, is under the law required to report sexual abuse incidents.

He was accused of not reporting the alleged conduct of Seth S. Sparrer, 22, of Middleburg, a chaperone on a July 13 field trip to Knoebels Amusement Resort.

On the return trip from Knoebels, Sparrer is accused of holding the hand of a 14-year-old girl, kissing her and touching her breast over her clothes.

Clendaniel was made aware of the situation July 17, conducted interviews and told the church officials and attorney who advised him to report it to authorities, the charge states.

He told police he regrets not reporting it and knows he messed up, the affidavit states.

The girl told her mother on Aug. 6 and she reported it to police, court documents state.

Sparrer, who is autistic but with clearances to chaperone youngsters, told police he was looking for a girlfriend and admitted holding hands and kissing her, the affidavit states.

He is awaiting trial on charges of corruption of minors and indecent assault.

 

 

 

 

 




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