Parents Sue Seventh-day Adventist Church in Miami, Florida, Over Molestation of Girl

Parents of a girl who was molested by a worker at Horeb French Seventh-day Adventist Church in Miami, Florida, have sued the congregation, arguing that it should be held responsible for the abuse.

Jerry Ameris, now 33, was found guilty of molesting the girl, who was 9 at the time of the crime. He was labeled a sexual predator and sentenced to ten years in prison.

According to the Miami New Times, the parents now claim that Horeb French should have done more to prevent the crime. They say that involving Ameris in church programming put children in danger and led to the molestation of their daughter. The Southeastern Conference Association of Seventh-day Adventists, which operates the youth program, was also named in the suit.

The family’s attorney, Jon Herskowitz, said, “The family wants to make sure this never happens again, and obviously, to be compensated for what their daughter has and will go through. And they want to make sure Mr. Ameris doesn’t do this to anyone else.” Protecting children from harm is a sober duty for any church that places adults in ministry with young people (Mark 9:42).

The complaint states that in 2014 the victim’s family was part of the church and enrolled their daughter in the youth program. At the time, Ameris was either employed by the church or volunteering with the youth.

According to the Miami New Times, the girl told police that on the day of the crime she was in the youth ministry area. She said Ameris removed her underwear and forced her to have sex with him, and that he warned her to tell no one. Law enforcement said Ameris admitted to asking the minor to show him her private parts, to exposing himself to her, and to ejaculating on the floor.

In January of this year, Ameris was found guilty of sexual battery on a victim under 12 and of lewd or lascivious exhibition.

Source: Read the original report