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Lake Elsinore Woman Awarded $2.2B In Child Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Story by Ashley Ludwig, MSN
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints denied any wrongdoing but settled out of court before the jury returned with the jaw-dropping verdict.
© Photo Credit: Renee Schiavone
LAKE ELSINORE, CA — The stepdaughter of a former Lake Elsinore Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints elder was awarded over $2.28 billion in damages this week in a civil suit, her attorney Gary A. Dordick reported.
The victim, referred to as Jane Doe to protect her identity, claimed her stepfather sexually assaulted her from when she was 5 until she was 14 years old. She is now 41. The attorneys say this is the largest award for a victim of childhood sexual assault, though she will likely never see a fraction of the money. That was never the point, according to Dordick.
After closing arguments, it took three days to deliberate, and the stepfather never came to court, according to Dordick.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints denied any wrongdoing but settled out of court before the jury returned with the jaw-dropping verdict. The church will pay $1 million, and the victim's mother will pay $200,000, according to Dordick. That amount is a mere fraction of the jury's decision ordering the defendant to pay $836 million in general damages and $1.44 billion in punitive damages.
Child Sexual Assault Cases On The Rise Due To 2022's 'Look-Back' Window
The case is one of many that was filed at the end of 2022 during the 'look-back' window, where adults were able to file civil suits against child sexual abusers years after the fact. Many recent civil cases against large organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, the Catholic Church, SeaCoast Grace megachurch in Cypress and prominent celebrities such as boxer George Foreman were filed during a period of time known as the 'look-back' window. Victims were able to seek recompense in cases dating back decades. That look-back window closed on Dec. 31, 2022.
'You’re a groomer and molester': Former Marietta school teacher
sentenced to 10 years in child sex abuse case
The creep was also a music minister at a church in Morrow
Author: Aspen Popowski
Published: 7:11 PM EDT April 28, 2023
Updated: 7:11 PM EDT April 28, 2023
COBB COUNTY, Ga. — A former Marietta school teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to child sex abuse charges, according to a release from the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
It was announced Friday that Freddie Early pleaded guilty to two counts of child molestation earlier this week.
The 50-year-old pleaded guilty in connection to a child sex abuse case stemming from two years ago. On Jan. 11, 2021, a child told one of his middle school teachers that he and his younger brother had been abused by a family friend between October and December of 2020.
That family friend was later identified as Early.
Detectives learned that Early had groomed the two children while working as a school teacher aid at Dunleith Elementary school in Marietta. He was also a music minister at Reset Church in Morrow.
Early, who also attended the children’s church “from time to time,” bought gifts for the children. He also took them to dinners and let them hang out at his house, the release said.
The abuse began when he walked around his home “with his private parts exposed,” making sexual comments to the two young boys.
One of the brothers even recorded a time when Early "[made] sexually explicit comments to them,” the release said.
Once investigators learned about Early's behavior, he was arrested. Following the arrest, he surrendered his teaching license, the release said.
Superior Court Judge Ann B. Harris spoke after the two victims spoke of the abuse at a plea hearing.
“You’re a groomer and molester," Harris said. "You preyed on the trust of two motherless teenage boys who needed someone. You victimized them then and again today. This is shameful conduct. I can’t fix what happened, but I can make sure there are no more victims.”
Once Early is released from prison, he will serve 10 years on probation, the release said.
If you or someone you know has been affected by child abuse or child sexual assault, call SafePath Children’s Advocacy Center for assistance at 770-801-3465 or the Cobb County Police Department Special Victims Unit at 770-801-3470.
Sandy Springs school administrator charged with
sexual exploitation of children
By Alex Whittler and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Published April 28, 2023 10:22AM, Updated 6:10PM
School admin accused of child porn possession. Chris Winslow, an employee of a Sandy Springs private school, is accused of possessing "child sex abuse material." A spokesperson for Mount Vernon School says he "will no longer be part of our School community moving forward."
SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. - Police have arrested an employee of a Sandy Springs private school they say is accused of the possession of child pornography.
Thursday afternoon, the Sandy Springs Police Department say they arrested Christopher James Winslow and charged him with two counts of the sexual exploitation of children.
Winslow was the chief financial officer of the Mount Vernon School, a private school that teaches students from preschool through 12th grade. He has since been fired from the school.
Mount Vernon School (FOX 5)
According to investigators, Winslow is accused of possessing "child sex abuse material."
In a statement, a school spokesperson says that there is no indication from law enforcement that any of its students or any other employees were involved.
"This is devastating news for everyone, and we are committed to supporting law enforcement's investigation however we can," the spokesperson told FOX 5. "The safety and well-being of our students is our most important priority, and for that reason, Mr. Winslow, will no longer be part of our School community moving forward."
The Sandy Springs Police Department is working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to identify any alleged victims. The investigation is ongoing.
FOX 5 asked more than a dozen parents at the Mount Vernon school Friday for their reaction. None wanted to speak.
If you have any information that could help with the case, call Sandy Springs detectives at 770-551-6946.
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