Judge Dismisses Las Vegas, Nevada, Church Abuse Lawsuit, Allows Woman to Amend Claim

A federal judge dismissed a woman’s lawsuit against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Las Vegas, ruling that her negligence claims lacked legal foundation. U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey stated that the plaintiff’s allegations failed to demonstrate that the law recognizes a duty for churches to protect members from crimes committed by fellow congregants. The judge emphasized that no court has established such a duty in general circumstances.

Dorsey’s order noted that the lawsuit did not allege the abuse occurred under special conditions, such as a church-sponsored event, where parents relinquish control of their child. The plaintiff, who remains unnamed, had filed the case in January, alleging that a high priest at the East Stake 1st Ward in Las Vegas raped her between the ages of 10 and 15 in the 1990s. Her attorney, Margot Cutter, stated the priest was ordained within the church and served as a counselor and teacher.

The complaint also claimed the victim reported the abuse to the church’s bishop in 1999, who allegedly assured her the church would “handle” the situation. Cutter wrote that the bishop informed the church leadership of the disclosure but took no meaningful action to prevent further harm. While the judge dismissed the negligence claims, she allowed the plaintiff to amend her lawsuit within 10 days, potentially shifting the focus to the bishop’s alleged voluntary assumption of responsibility.

Though the church’s liability remains in question, the case highlights ongoing concerns about accountability within religious institutions. The judge’s decision underscores the legal challenges faced by victims seeking redress for abuse, particularly when the alleged misconduct occurs within a community that may prioritize internal resolution over external intervention.

Source: Read the original report