ALABAMA
WHNT
[with video]
August 2, 2012, by Melissa Payne
SHEFFIELD, Ala. (WHNT) – Sexual abuse accusations surfaced at Sheffield First United Methodist Church and a police investigation started immediately.
In a statement, the district acknowledges another possible case of inappropriate contact between Oliver Brazelle and another young person.
However, area church officials claim they never knew about those allegations until Thursday.
According to a release by the Sheffield First United Methodist Church, nine years ago a counselor from the Shoals area contacted then bishop, Robert Fannin about a client claiming inappropriate behavior with Brazelle dating back to the 70′s.
Sheffield First United Methodist Church spokesman Billy Don Anderson says in 2003, Bishop Fannin and Brazelle had a private meeting where an agreement was made for Brazelle not to have contact with children.
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