So these obedient elders face jail time for doing what they were told to do by so called “Jehovah’s Organisation “ ... that is a tough break but only fair if it broke the State Law.
Critics say they were reckless etc but , knowing the way things are inside the Org , and especially if you are an elder.. you take the word of The Society above all others.
If this anonymous voice on the phone said “ don’t report- you are exempt from the law” , they would accept that unquestionably.
I’ll bet there is a no end of regret and saying “God ! I wish I had got his name !”
[ Edit.. we ought not to forget the poor kid who suffered horribly due to the perpetrators wickedness and their bungling]