 |
Terah Allyn Rawlings, top left, Raymond “Allen” Knight, top right, Jan Ocvirk, bottom left, Franklin “Wayne” Knight (credit: El Paso Sheriff’s Department) |
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Maybe it’s the hoopla over the Penn State scandal, or perhaps because Jesus’ birthday is coming up, but a whole lotta good Christian folks are going bat shit crazy.
In Colorado Springs, a teacher, two pastors,and a former principal were all arrested on Thursday. A grand jury has indicted 32-year-old teacher Terah Allyn Rawlings for having sexually assaulted a 15-year-old male student at Hilltop Baptist School beginning in 2007. The other three are accused of covering-up the sexual abuse.
According to the indictment, Rawlings, has been charged with eight counts in all: four counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust-pattern of abuse (a class 3 felony), four counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust (a class 4 felony), and obscenity promotion (a class 2 misdemeanor).
Investigators say the teacher allegedly had a relationship with the boy for two and a half years, beginning when he was 15. Anonymous sources have come forward claiming the school covered up the relationship until a staff member called the sheriff against the school's permission.
Hilltop Baptist School's senior pastor, 63-year-old Franklin "Wayne" Knight, aka “Pastor Wayne,” was also arrested. Knight is Rawlings's uncle.
According to the indictment, Rawlings, has been charged with eight counts in all: four counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust-pattern of abuse (a class 3 felony), four counts of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust (a class 4 felony), and obscenity promotion (a class 2 misdemeanor).
Investigators say the teacher allegedly had a relationship with the boy for two and a half years, beginning when he was 15. Anonymous sources have come forward claiming the school covered up the relationship until a staff member called the sheriff against the school's permission.
Hilltop Baptist School's senior pastor, 63-year-old Franklin "Wayne" Knight, aka “Pastor Wayne,” was also arrested. Knight is Rawlings's uncle.
 |
| "Pastor Wayne" |
Rawlings's father, 57-year-old Raymond "Alan" Knight, the school's former athletic director and associate pastor, has been arrested as well and charge with failure to report child abuse or neglect. On the school’s Facebook page, it is reported that Alan was the 2011 Division 1A coach of the year.
Jan Ocvirk, the school's former principal, was also arrested. She faces two counts of failure to report child abuse or neglect.
Hilltop Baptist School closed in 2011 due to declining enrollment, however, Private School Review provides the school's mission statement, last updated in June 2011:
Hilltop Baptist School's belief is that each child is a unique creation of God endowed with individual gifts and abilities that, when recognized and developed, will enable that child to succeed in the way his Creator intended. Our highly committed, qualified and caring staff teach at Hilltop because they have a genuine desire to positively impact young lives. They have surrendered their lives to a ministry of preparing young people to live successful Godly lives. This task is accomplished not only through academics but also by developing relationships of mutual trust and respect with their students.
Jan Ocvirk, the school's former principal, was also arrested. She faces two counts of failure to report child abuse or neglect.
Hilltop Baptist School closed in 2011 due to declining enrollment, however, Private School Review provides the school's mission statement, last updated in June 2011:
Hilltop Baptist School's belief is that each child is a unique creation of God endowed with individual gifts and abilities that, when recognized and developed, will enable that child to succeed in the way his Creator intended. Our highly committed, qualified and caring staff teach at Hilltop because they have a genuine desire to positively impact young lives. They have surrendered their lives to a ministry of preparing young people to live successful Godly lives. This task is accomplished not only through academics but also by developing relationships of mutual trust and respect with their students.
No comments :
Post a Comment