A youth leader at Norwalk church in Connecticut is accused of sexually abusing two children over several years.
Jean Bernard, 44, was charged with two counts of sexual assault, three counts of risk of injury to a minor, and tampering with a witness. Apparently, Bernard was a caretaker of the church and worked closely with kids in the “Pathfinder Club,” similar to Boy Scouts.
News 12 reports that the investigation of Bernard’s sexual allegations started in January after the Special Victims Unit received numerous complaints that he had inappropriate contact with children. He was arrested Tuesday and taken into custody without incident.
Norwalk Police Sgt. Sofia Gulino says, “Anytime a child in the city of Norwalk in the city is impacted, and in this case more than one, our investigators take it very seriously.”
The warrants detail alarming allegations from a 10-year-old boy and an 18-year-old. The 10-year-old boy says that he was assaulted every week at the church since he was six to seven years old. The abuse happened in the bathrooms and where cameras were out of sight. It often happened while the congregation was in the sanctuary.
The second victim, who is 18 years old, was assaulted when he was six and continued until he was 16-years-old. However, once Bernard learned of the allegations, he contacted the second victim and advised him not to speak to police, tampering with witnesses.
Assistant State’s Attorney Michelle Manning described the allegations as “horrendous.” More charges are expected since an anonymous church member claims “more kids” have been molested by Bernard.
The same church member also said there were previous allegations, but no further investigations were made.
The church member said, “I’m so disturbed by the whole thing. I want the public to know that regardless of religion or regardless of race, that these children should’ve been protected. Our job as church members is not to hide behind the image of our church. That’s not important right now. It’s these children.”
Bernard’s bond is at $700,000, and under his warrant, he is not allowed at the church.
