Dad arrested for molesting two daughters; pastors arrested for failing to report (Phoenix, Arizona)

UNNAMED DAD has been arrested "on suspicion" of molesting his two daughters. In addition, two pastors from Daddy's church have also been arrested for failing to report the abuse to authorities when it was disclosed to them. Real "forgiveness" has nothing to do with continuing to put victims at risk. These people should be drummed out of the ministry.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT. Was there a mother in this home? No sign of one anywhere.

Hat tip to Annie.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/07/28/20100728phoenix-father-sexually-abuse-daughters-abrk.html

Phoenix father, pastors arrested in molestation case
by Krystal Klei - Jul. 28, 2010 10:34 AM
The Arizona Republic

A father was arrested on suspicion of molesting his two daughters, and two of the family's pastors were arrested on suspicion of failing to report the accusations to authorities, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

The father was booked in connection with one count of sexual abuse, two counts of child molestation, and eleven counts of sexual conduct with a minor on July 9, Phoenix police spokesman Detective James Holmes said in a written statement. The Arizona Republic is not releasing the father's name to protect the identities of the victims.

The man was arrested after his then 16-year-old daughter told a neighbor that she had been molested by her father for several years, Holmes said.

According to police, when the neighbor confronted the father about the accusations, he apparently admitted his involvement. The father also told the neighbor he knew what he was doing was wrong.

Following the confrontation, Phoenix Police officers were flagged down, Holmes said. The girl was with the neighbor when she talked to the officers, he added.

During an interview with Phoenix Police Child Crime detectives, the girl told officers of at least one instance of sexual intercourse, several instances of sexual contact over nearly a five year range, and of the molestation of her older sister by her father, Holmes said. He added that she told officers the molestation lead to her older sister moving out when she turned 18 years old.

According to police, the father admitted to sexually abusing both his daughters when questioned and was then arrested.

The older daughter, now 19, told her two pastors, Daniel and Laura McCluskey, about the alleged abuse in 2008 at Church On The Word on the 8000 block of West Camelback Road, but they did not report the accusations to police, according to Holmes.

Instead, the pastors met with the older daughter and the father. During the meeting, according to police, the father said he snuck into his daughter's room at night to touch her. The pastors suggested the girl forgive her father, because he was repentant, Holmes added. The pastors told the girl to restore her relationship with her father.

According to police, the father stopped sexually abusing his older daughter after meeting, but continued to sexually abuse his younger daughter.

Under Arizona Revised Statute, the pastors were arrested for their failure to report the abuse. The Statue states the pastors had the duty to report to Child Protective Services and/or law enforcement.

The pastors were arrested on Tuesday in connection with one count each of failure to report sexual abuse, Holmes said.