COLUMBIA (SC)
WIS-TV, Channel 10
October 17, 2017
By Caroline Patrickis
A popular Columbia church is at the center of a lawsuit claiming sex abuse – again.
The family of a teen filed a civil lawsuit in Richland County against First Baptist Church of Columbia accusing a former youth ministry volunteer of sex abuse last week.
The attorneys behind the lawsuit say they’re hoping to unseal documents in a previous civil lawsuit case from years ago. Among many allegations is that the church did not notify the police department about on-going sex abuse happening in the church.
The church is no stranger to child sex assault allegations: in 2002, the church was sued after a man was convicted of abusing a minor more than once at First Baptist Church.
The attorney behind this lawsuit, John Simmons, says he’s filed a motion to uncover the details in that case that he calls a cover-up. The lawsuit also names the church and several staff members, including their now-retiring pastor.
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