Ex-pastor says police failed in old NH rape case | Sun Journal

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Ex-pastor says police failed in old NH rape case

By The Associated Press May 28, 2010 3:22 pm 4 Comments

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CONCORD, N.H. (AP) A pastor accused of sending a pregnant 15-year-old girl out of New Hampshire to hide her alleged rape by a fellow church member 13 years ago said Friday that police officers failed to do their job after he reported the accusations. Chuck Phelps, the former pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Concord, is blaming police for the delay in the arrest of Ernest Willis, 51, of Gilford, who was charged last week with sexual assault. Police have said their 1997 investigation was shelved because they could not locate the victim, and they are now investigating how much church leaders knew about the allegations. The case was reopened this year after online posts and friends led police to Tina Anderson, now 28 and living in Arizona.

People find the front doors to the Trinity Baptist Church locked in Concord, N.H., Thursday, May 27. - AP Photo/Jim Cole

The Associated Press does not generally identify victims of sexual assault, but Anderson asked that her name be made public. She said church officials forced her to stand before the congregation and apologize for getting pregnant before shipping her off to Colorado, where she lived with another pastor and gave her baby up for adoption. Phelps said he reported the rape allegations to police and child welfare officials within a day of hearing about them from Anderson 13 years ago and did nothing to conceal her whereabouts. He said he also told Willis he was calling the police and advised him to turn himself in. "I never once got a call from the Concord police. ... They simply didn't do anything. This is unconscionable, what's happening to the Church here and to my reputation," Phelps, now a pastor in Indianapolis, said Thursday. Police declined to comment Friday because of the ongoing investigation. Phelps said Anderson's mother made the decision to move her to Colorado, while his role consisted of helping to find a family for her to live with. Messages left for Willis at phone numbers linked to him have not been returned, and Anderson's mother, Christine Leaf, has refused to comment on whether she consented to the move.

Willis has been released on personal recognizance bail after his arrest and is due in court June 16.

http://www.sunjournal.com/new-england/story/854178[6/28/2011 3:35:57 AM]

Ex-pastor says police failed in old NH rape case | Sun Journal

This May 20, 2010 booking photograph released by the Concord, N.H., Police Department shows Ernest Willis, 51, of Gilford, N.H., charged with two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault and two counts of felonious sexual assault in 1997. (AP Photo/Concord Police Department) - Anonymous

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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest

There should be harsher By citygirl, unverified Sun, 06/06/2010 - 11:55

There should be harsher punishment! Castrate the rapists and watch the crime numbers go

http://www.sunjournal.com/new-england/story/854178[6/28/2011 3:35:57 AM]

Ex-pastor says police failed in old NH rape case | Sun Journal

down!
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Just one more reason to snub religion. By xyz, unverified Fri, 06/04/2010 - 02:47

"The Associated Press does not generally identify victims of sexual assault, but Anderson asked that her name be made public. She said church officials forced her to stand before the congregation and apologize for getting pregnant before shipping her off to Colorado, where she lived with another pastor and gave her baby up for adoption."
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As if there aren't enough already. Truly sick, baptists are more like a cult. Can we say Amen now?

That pastor has no right to By ojhuig, unverified Fri, 05/28/2010 - 16:33

That pastor has no right to be indignant. Forcing a teenager to accept responsibility for what a 51-year-old did to her! The pastor, the girl's mother and everyone else involved should be prosecuted for complicity in her rape.
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w-o-w! By Melissa Dunn, verified user Fri, 05/28/2010 - 16:11

w-o-w!
VERIFIED respond. Permalink Report inappropriate comment Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can

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Ex-pastor says police failed in old NH rape case | Sun Journal

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http://www.sunjournal.com/new-england/story/854178[6/28/2011 3:35:57 AM]