A counselor employed by Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH) has been arrested on sex abuse charges after an adult patient claimed he touched her during counseling sessions.
Jonathan Eric Minnon, 31, turned himself in to Decatur police after a woman secretly recorded her counseling session to validate her claims. He was released on $500 bond, according to AL.com.
According to a statement released by ABCH on Dec. 12, senior administrative leadership was made aware of the allegation Dec. 10. A warrant was issued by police Dec. 11. Minnon has been terminated from his role at ABCH.
“We are working closely with legal counsel, working closely with law enforcement and examining our policies and procedures to see if they need to be adjusted to prevent any further occurrences or allegations,” said Rod Marshall, ABCH president and CEO.
“We want our response to reflect concern for all parties involved,” Marshall said. “We are concerned for the party who made the allegation. We are concerned for the family of the individual against whom the allegation has been made.” The misconduct did not involve any children or minors in the care of ABCH, he said.
The ABCH has a rich heritage of Christian service and provides services such as long-term and short-term residential care, foster care and professional counseling. In 2011, ABCH served 3,769 children and families.
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