Ohio Women Sue UMC Entities Over Alleged Failure to Address Sexual Abuse by Former Music Director

Two Ohio women have filed a lawsuit against multiple United Methodist Church (UMC) entities, alleging that they failed to respond appropriately to abuse they experienced from a former church music director. The unnamed plaintiffs, represented by law firms in Florida and Ohio, claim that the defendants were aware of the abuse and did not take action to prevent or stop it.

The lawsuit names several UMC entities, including the UMC General Council on Finance and Administration, the UMC West Ohio Conference, the UMC Great Miami River District, and two congregations, Christian UMC of Baltimore, Ohio, and Parkview UMC of Plain City, Ohio. The United Methodist Children’s Home is also listed as a defendant.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs were minors when they were abused by John Slate, a former cult member from Venezuela who served as music ministries director at the two churches. Slate was convicted of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and pandering obscenity involving a minor in 2017. He was again convicted of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in 2019.

The suit alleges that Slate groomed and repeatedly sexually assaulted the plaintiffs over several years, despite the defendants having actual or constructive knowledge of his inappropriate relationship with the young girls. The plaintiffs claim the defendants are liable for failing to prevent and stop the abuse, for authorizing and condoning policies that allowed the abuse to occur, and for creating a culture that enabled the abuse.

The UMC West Ohio Conference confirmed it was informed of the lawsuit and stated it takes complaints of this nature seriously, adding that it is looking into the matter. The conference also expressed prayers for all involved.

The complaint details that in 2014, when Slate was working at St. Andrew UMC, Jane Doe’s parents informed the pastor that Slate had been sexually grooming, assaulting, and abusing their daughter. However, the complaint claims the defendants did not report the crime to the police and did not follow the necessary procedures to address the abuse.

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