Edgewood Baptist Church has released a statement regarding alleged sexual abuse that happened Easter Sunday on its church bus.
As previously reported, 27-year old Tyler Frances of Hopkinsville was arrested for first-degree sexual abuse Sunday after he allegedly admitted he had inappropriately touched a juvenile female teenager’s private parts on the bus.
Dr. John Birchett, Jr. is the senior pastor and sent the statement to WHOP News Tuesday morning.
Read the entire statement below:
“This past Easter Sunday thousands gathered across our community in churches to celebrate with friends and families and to worship the Lord. As one of many pastors in our community, I count it as a sacred trust to open the doors of our church to minister to people of Hopkinsville and surrounding areas.
That afternoon I was contacted by an officer with the Hopkinsville Police Department. He informed me that a report had been made concerning a minor teenage girl and another passenger on the church bus as passengers were heading home from the church services. The police spoke to the accused and arrested him for first-degree sexual abuse.
The accused in the incident is not a church employee, bus driver or other volunteer within the church.
As Senior Pastor of Edgewood Baptist Church, I am committed to continued cooperation in this matter and our church is committed to demonstrate the love and truth of Jesus in our community. Our prayers are with this girl, her family and all involved. We pray for the day where all will care about justice, love, and righteousness toward one another.”