ABCH counselor charged with sex abuse

ABCH counselor charged with sex abuse

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 made advances toward her and touched her.

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.

“We take all allegations of inappropriate conduct very seriously and are conducting internal investigations, as well as cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities to determine if the allegation of misconduct is founded,” the statement read. “The allegation of misconduct does not involve any of the children in our care or any minors. We hope to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”

The ABCH has a rich heritage of Christian service to children and families in Alabama, the statement said. ABCH provides services such as long-term residential care, short-term residential care, family care for homeless mothers with dependent children, foster-care and professional counseling from a Christian perspective. In 2011, ABCH served 3,769 children and families.

For the full story, watch next week’s issue of The Alabama Baptist newspaper.

(TAB)