Robert Fenton was the youth pastor at Abide In the Vine church in Owego, New York, when he told a couple he was drawn to their daughter and wanted to marry her. Her family lived in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, just over the state line from Owego. She was fourteen. The parents approved, church leaders approved, and the courtship began. She was pulled out of school and homeschooled which gave Fenton private time with her. He began sexually abusing her.
A few weeks before the wedding, Fenton was hospitalized with pancreatitis, then he told the girl that marrying her would ruin his ministry and skipped out, moving to Australia in 1998.
In 2019, the girl has grown up and wants what happened to her addressed and the Attorney General has charged Fenton with sexual abuse of a minor and applied for extradition from Australia.
- Only Sky: Youth pastor who was ‘betrothed’ to 14-year-old girl charged with sexual abuse
- Christian News Now: Youth Pastor ‘Betrothed’ to 14-Year-Old Girl With Parents’ and Church Leaders’ Blessing Charged With Sexual Abuse
- Attorney General: Affidavit of Probable Cause – PDF
Great article! It’s disturbing to hear about cases such as this where those in positions of authority abuse their power and harm vulnerable individuals. Is there any information on whether the church and the leaders who approved of the marriage have taken any accountability for their role in this situation?
David
Philly Local Support Initiative
It seems the church is doing just fine. abide.org