MESQUITE, Texas — The pastor of an independent Baptist congregation was arrested April 10 for failing to report child abuse.
Fort Worth’s Star-Telegram newspaper quoted police sources who said Robert A. Ross, pastor of Open Door Baptist Church, Mesquite, had learned Feb. 1 about allegations that church member Steven Winn was sexually assaulting a 15-year-old. Ross failed to immediately report the information to police. Texas law says anyone who thinks a child, a person 65 years or older or an adult with disabilities is being abused, neglected or exploited must report it to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Similarly, Alabama law requires any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe or suspect that a child has been abused or neglected to report the suspected or possible abuse to their local Department of Human Resources office, law enforcement or the local district attorney. (TAB)
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