Authorities: Congregation elders didn’t report child abuse

Authorities: Congregation elders didn’t report child abuse
By Randall Chase AP August 5, 2015

DOVER, Del. — The Delaware attorney general’s office is suing a Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation in Sussex County, claiming that elders failed to report an unlawful sexual relationship between a woman and a 14-year-old boy, both of whom were congregation members.

After speaking with attorneys this week, a New Castle County Superior Court judge scheduled oral arguments in the civil action against the Laurel congregation for Nov. 9.

Under Delaware law, any person, agency, organization or entity who knows or in good faith suspects that a child is being abused or neglected must call a 24-hour hotline to report it. The law specifically states that the reporting requirements apply to health care workers and organizations, school employees, social workers, psychologists and law enforcement officials.

But a lawyer for the congregation is arguing that the elders of the Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation are protected from the reporting requirements by clergy privilege, similar to the confidentiality of a church confessional.

“It’s a First Amendment issue,” defense attorney James Liguori said.

Department of Justice authorities say the boy reported to his mother in January 2013 that he and Katheryn Harris Carmean White, who worked as a teacher’s aide at Seaford Middle School, had engaged in a sexual relationship. According to the complaint, the boy and his mother met that same day with congregation elders Joel Mulchansingh and William Perkins.

The two elders met a few days later with Carmean White, who confirmed the ongoing sexual relationship, according to the complaint.

“At no time ... did defendant elder Mulchansingh and defendant elder Perkins contact the 24 hour child abuse report line to report the alleged incident of child sexual abuse,” Delaware Deputy Attorney General Janice Tigani wrote....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/authorities-congregation-elders-didnt-report-child-abuse/2015/08/05/5456821a-3b91-11e5-b34f-4e0a1e3a3bf9_story.html  

Bill changes requirements for reporting child abuse

Bill changes requirements for reporting child abuse&
By Kristen Doerschner
Sunday, May 11, 2014

It took nine years and a national scandal for a bill that strengthens child abuse reporting requirements for school employees to make its way through the Legislature.

The bill -- which cleared the House on March 18 and the Senate Wednesday -- was first introduced in 2005 by Sen. Wayne D. Fontana, D-42, Pittsburgh. Fontana, determined to see the bill become law, said he has re-introduced the bill every session since then.

The bill was presented to Gov. Tom Corbett Thursday, and, after it is signed, it will take effect Dec. 31.

Two of the major changes regard who is required to report suspected abuse to the authorities and what types of injuries can be investigated.

School employees and anyone who provides a school-sponsored program, activity or service will be required to report suspect child abuse directly to the Department of Public Welfare’s ChildLine and to their school administrator.
http://www.timesonline.com/news/local_news/bill-changes-requirements-for-reporting-child-abuse/article_b250587e-3076-57bf-a883-c3d2744d9b58.html