A regional body of the United Methodist Church recently approved a settlement of nearly $1 million in response to an allegation that a 12-year-old girl was sexually abused at a church run camp.
The Tennessee Annual Conference, meeting in a special session April 2, approved the settlement of $952,027, United Methodist News Service reported.
The agreement includes payments over a seven-year period for medical care and counseling for the girl, who was 12 when the alleged assault occurred in the summer of 2000 at Camp Cedar Crest south of Nashville.
The decision followed a similar settlement in 2003 that resolved another abuse case at the same camp in 2001. Both assaults were allegedly committed by counselor Carl Steven Bentrup, 21, who was arrested after the 2001 incident. He later was found hanged in his jail cell and his death was ruled a suicide.
The 2001 assault, which also was alleged to involve a 12-year-old girl, was the subject of a lawsuit against the conference. It was settled out of court for $1 million, the news service reported.
Conference staffers screen camp counselors, but Bentrup’s juvenile record was sealed and not available during his screenings. A task force reviewed procedures and made recommendations for improving hiring and camp security, which have been implemented.
“Jesus was concerned about people and their welfare, particularly people who suffer,” Bishop Richard Wills, leader of the Tennessee conference, said. “We want to reconcile the world to Jesus Christ, and this is a good way to practice that.”
The girl’s family affirmed the action taken by the church in a statement released by the conference.
“We are pleased our church has responded to this situation with compassion and understanding,” the family stated. “The changes… will improve the safety of the camp for all children.”
(RNS)
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