Mother’s testimony continues in case alleging sex abuse cover-up

MARTINSBURG (WV)
The Journal

February 1, 2018

By Kelsie LeRose

MARTINSBURG–Testimony continued Wednesday from Sandra Lee Jensen during the civil case alleging members of the Mormon Church covered up sexual abuse by the son of church leaders.

Sandra Lee Jensen first took the stand Tuesday as a witness for the plaintiffs. She is the mother of Christopher Michael Jensen – who is serving 35 to 75 years in prison for sexually abusing two minors at the ages of 4 and 3.

The lawsuit against the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints; Sandra Lee and Chris Jensen; Don Fishel and Steven Grow, who have held lay church clergy positions; and one unnamed defendant was filed in 2013 by six families.

The suit accused the church and its leaders of actively covering up the abuse and assisting Michael Jensen in committing further acts by enabling him to babysit for and live with other church families with young children.

Carl Kravitz, an attorney for the plaintiffs, began questioning Wednesday by referencing a family’s complaint of Michael Jensen’s treatment of their then 4-year-old son.

The victim’s mother had called Sandra Lee Jensen to her house in reference to the allegations, Kravitz said. However, she testified she believed she was going over to help with Relief Society President duties.

Those duties include assisting in the needs of the members within the local congregation and communities.

During the meeting, Kravitz said, the victim’s mother used the word sex offender and Michael Jensen in the same sentence. Kravitz asked Sandra Lee Jensen if she questioned why she said that.

“I did not,” she replied. She continued by saying she wanted to get an explanation from her son.

Sandra Lee testified that Michael Jensen told her the victim had walked in on him while he was using the bathroom, but he went about his business.

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