Alleged Sexual Abuse Not Reported by Mormon Officials in Montana
Originally published by The Associated Press, June 8, 2001
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — A Utah man is jailed here on $75,000 bond awaiting trial on charges he sexually abused a stepdaughter, who first turned for help to her Mormon Church leaders in nearby Manhattan but got none.
The church leader in Manhattan, Mont., sent the girl back to her family without reporting to police, saying "he tried to focus on the authority of the `Heavenly Father' rather than on earthly authorities such as the police," said Gallatin County prosecuting attorney Ashley Harrington.
Kelly Teters, 37, was charged last month with felony rape and intimidation after the girl again discussed the alleged abuse with her church leader in Mapleton, Utah.
The church leader in Utah reported the alleged abuse to authorities and an investigation was launched.
District Judge Mike Salvagni refused on Wednesday to reduce bond because Teters doesn't have enough ties to the community. Court documents filed by Harrington show even direct family ties don't deter Teters.
The charging document says Teters had unlawful sex with one of his three stepdaughters up to 20 times over the course of two years, from July 1997 to August 1999, often when the two were alone in their Manhattan residence.
In 1999, the girl told an elder at her church, the Bozeman Montana Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, about the abuse. That elder reported to the stake president, Rex Dahl, who interviewed the girl briefly, according to court records. Dahl told the girl that Teters'"behavior could get him into trouble" and that "she could contact a clergy member if her stepfather's improper behavior continued."
During an interview with the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Dahl said he was not able to comment except to say that he was "precluded by law" in Montana from reporting to police.
"If I was in a different state with different laws, I would have followed those laws," Dahl said.
State statutes list several occupations that are required to report any suspected child abuse or neglect, like doctors and nurses, teachers and social workers. Clergy are also included in this section, with these exceptions:
When the information comes to them by way of a confidential communication from a member of the congregation;
If the clergy person learns of suspected abuse in his or her official capacity;
If the person making the statement does not consent to official disclosure;
Or if the church law, doctrine or established practice requires the communication be confidential.
Specifically, the statute states that "a clergy person or priest is not required to make a report" if those conditions exist.
Teters' trial date is expected to be scheduled on June 11.
