Florida Youth Minister Arrested For Sexual Abuse Of Young Girl
A Florida youth minister was arrested for sexually abusing a young girl in Sunday school.
William Richardson was accused of molesting a girl, now 11, over the span of three years. He was a volunteer youth minister and choir director for the First Baptist Church of Mango, a trusted member of the church. The girl told the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office that a member of school staff had been sexually abusing her for a few years and named him as the assailant. On October 22, deputies took action.
The church’s youth ministries director Nita Allred stated that the accusations were shocking to say the least. She said that in all that time, someone would have come forward and confessed, but nobody did.
The Florida youth minister arrested, William Richardson, was seized at his home without incident and charged with capital sexual battery. He apologized for his wrongdoing in tears.
Nita Allred stated about the incident, “I’m so sorry that this happened. You trusted the children with me, and I’m so sorry. That’s all I can say.”
She is hoping the church and its parents don’t blame her for what she unknowingly allowed to happen between William Richardson and the young girl who accused him.
Volunteer youth minister at Florida church accused of molesting girl during Sunday school | The Raw Story http://t.co/yP3czVtmuE
— Ray Lawson (@Lawsonbulk) October 31, 2013
Richardson’s father felt shocked and confused when the local media called him Thursday morning to ask him about his son’s arrest.
The church itself feels a deep shame for having trusted William Richardson with their children after this was uncovered. Investigators are looking into other potential cases involving him or anyone else. If William Richardson got away with it for this long, there may be other victims who have yet to be revealed.
So far there has been no further evidence of abuse in the First Baptist Church of Mango. The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with further information to call them at 813-247-8200.
If convicted, the Florida youth minster arrested for sexual abuse of the young girl could face life in prison.
