UTAH
The Republic

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
November 15, 2012

SALT LAKE CITY — The pastor of a West Valley church has been removed for failing to promptly report claims that young boys had been sexually abused by an older boy in the congregation.

Bishop Elaine Stanofsky said in a letter that she intended to end the appointment of the Rev. Havili Mone from the Tongan United Methodist Church, effective Thursday.

Sgt. Mike Powell of West Valley City says the alleged incidents occurred at the church and that the primary suspect is a 16-year-old boy. Powell stressed that Mone is not a suspect in the abuse cases, but has been investigated for failure to report the abuse.