Finally, Finally, - Editorial says Jehovah’s Witnesses elder did exactly the right thing by reporting to police.

was a new boy

'Unanswered questions — disturbing ones — surround the case of a former school health aide charged with three second-degree felony counts of molesting a child.

Here’s what we know: Santa Fe police arrested 30-year-old Robert Apodaca in July over allegations he sexually abused a boy in 2019, including at the school nurse’s office at Gonzales Community School.

Apodaca and the boy knew each other through the North Santa Fe Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. An elder at the congregation reported Apodaca to police after the family came to him in June. That elder, by the way, did exactly the right thing, unlike others in this mess.'

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/editorials/schools-must-handle-sexual-assault-allegations-better/article_daffe168-11ae-11ec-a0b0-2bd6bf61dea5.html

nowwhat?

Hmmm I wonder if the elder got removed?

Bobcat

That was my first thought also. I imagine it would never have occurred to the newspaper to ask about that.

If the elder actually did that, he would be untrustworthy as far as WT is concerned.

My second thought was that this was arranged by WT for the elder to do this for PR purposes. That is, they wait for a case with circumstances that suit the Society and then have the elder report it to police just to show that they can do that.

Rafe

The elder who did the reporting is in trouble for disobeying the WTS directions and guidelines concerning situations of child sexual abuse.

The only other circumstance if is by local State law and approval by the WTS to report the situation to the local police or he's in for some whip ass.

road to nowhere

Anyone with a connection to Santa fe? Conjecture on removal is different than knowledge of such.

We must remember that JWs are the most honest upright trustworthy people on the planet. That is why there is so much openness in congregations ( not).

was a new boy

New Mexico was plagued with molester priests coming from out of state to a Catholic Treatment Center in Jemez Springs. So now - Every person is a mandatory reporter.

Any person who fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Since the family came to the elder, and not the abuser first, there was no wiggle room not to report.

'The boy and Apodaca also knew each other through the North Santa Fe Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, where Apodaca served as a volunteer minister starting in 2019. An elder at the congregation reported him to police when the boy’s family came forward with concerns in June, according to the arrest warrant affidavit. The U.S. Branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Wallkill, N.Y., said in a statement he was removed from his position July 3.'

https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/gonzales-community-school-to-hold-virtual-discussion-over-ex-health-aide-accused-of-abuse/article_f0e8d55e-0fef-11ec-9bd9-ef747cb90be7.html

shadowclone

SOP is to make an anonymous call to police with another elder listening to comply with mandatory reporting law. Hats off to this elder

was a new boy

Didn't know Jehovah witnesses were allowed to work at Catholic schools.

'A Jehovah witness church elder told Santa Fe Police that Apodaca has been fondling a boy in the congregation. The boy said it happened ‘a hundred times.’

SFPD Command Staff spoke with members of the SFPS Leadership Team on September 7th, and assured them that direction would be given to their Criminal Investigations personnel, to be more proactive in their communications regarding arrests of any SFPS personnel.”
DEPUTY CHIEF PAUL JOYE

Both the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and SFPS said Apodaca underwent background checks before being hired. Read the full statement from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe below:'

NM school employee is accused of fondling a child on school grounds (krqe.com)

zachias

from Now what,

"Hmmm I wonder if the elder got removed?"

Is there someone in the US who can find out ie tell that newspaper that removal is likely or at least he will be marked...please

BluesBrother

The links dont open for me, behind a paywall. The important point is in a few posts above that states that reporting is mandatory in New Mexico. If so, and this elder contacted Bethel for guidance he would surely be told to report it.

Is that not WT policy?

Finally, Finally, - Editorial says Jehovah’s Witnesses elder did exactly the right thing by reporting to police.

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