Story Created:
Oct 31, 2012
Story Updated:
Oct 31, 2012
A Montgomery man has been arrested and charged with sex abuse.
Montgomery police say Andrew Bartels was arrested Friday and charged with sexual abuse of a child younger than 12. No other information has been released by police.
But Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church has released a statement -- saying Bartels is a member of its congregation.
This is the statement from the church:
"Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church was deeply saddened to be made aware this week by the Montgomery Police that a member of our congregation had been arrested on charges of child molestation. This tragedy is made even deeper by the possibility that the alleged victim or victims may have been the children of other Frazer families whom the accused person knew through the church.
Frazer is cooperating in every way we can with the authorities in their ongoing investigation. We pray that they will be successful in their mission to uncover the truth and pursue justice, even as we strive to continue our mission to share the healing love of Christ with everyone affected by this difficult situation."
Meanwhile, an attorney for Bartels tells CBS 8 News the investigation is premature and evidence is still being gathered.
Stay with CBS 8 News for more information.
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Judy Jones said on Thursday, Nov 1 at 12:14 PM
Let's hope that every person who saw, suspected or may have been harmed by Andrew Bartels, will find the courage and strength to speak up and contact police, no matter how long ago the abuse happened.. Keep in mind that child predators rarely have only one victim. And your silence only hurts, and by speaking up there is a chance for healing, exposing the truth, and therefore protecting others. Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511. snapjudy@gmail.com, (SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests,) is the worlds oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 12,000 members. Despite the word priest in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers and increasingly, victims who were assaulted in a wide range of institutional settings like summer camps, athletics, Boy Scouts.
105385872anony said on Thursday, Nov 1 at 7:54 PM
assuming he's guilty of course. right? your'e not presuming he's guilt without a fair trial are you?
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