NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) -- A New Albany church is under investigation for allegations of sexual abuse of minors.
The Licking County Sheriff’s Office is heading the investigation into Faith Life Church and several of its staff members. Records obtained by NBC4 show there are dozens of potential victims and the alleged abuse dates back decades.
A former member of the church who wants to remain anonymous said that in the past when a member would sound the alarm about suspected abuse, they were met with intimidation and made to feel wrong.
The woman said news of the investigation brings up many emotions.
“I didn’t know that then,” she said. “I was a vulnerable person.”
Alleged victims of sexual abuse and grooming inside Faith Life Church are raising their voices. According to records, the alleged sexual abuse of minors could go back more than 20 years.
“I had people reaching out to me, ‘Hey, you know, there are allegations. Did you ever experience anything?’ And I was like, ‘Oh my God,’ you know, like, I have a lot of problems with that place,” an alleged victim said.
What Ohio law says about dogs being kept outside during the winterThe investigation started with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office. According to documents, that is where at least one of the alleged victims lived.
The reports to law enforcement started in December 2024.
Records state, “On 1-9-25, we (police sergeant) spoke with the victim over the phone. The victim stated that over the years, she has been assaulted by [name redacted] an excess of 100 times.” The document goes on to say, “He assaulted here more times than he did not.”
That’s just the allegations from one victim; the records list dozens of potential victims who all appear to be heavily involved in Faith Life Church.
The alleged victim who spoke with NBC4 said that she was not sexually assaulted, but claims she was groomed by a staff member at the church beginning when she was 15 years old.
Two more concerts added to 2025 Ohio State Fair lineup“I was the most devout of devout members as a teen,” she said.
The former member said she witnessed others being groomed as well.
“Back then, of course, I was like, you know, ‘Oh, he's like my big brother. He's looking out for me. He cares about me. He understands.’ That's, you know, the impression that you're going under,” she said.
The report said the alleged victims may be as young as 8.
Other witness statements “described the culture as a cult and that the congregation has drank the Kool-Aid,” and “she said the family is wealthy and influential in the community.”
In January, Knox County requested the office of the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation take over the case due to a conflict of interest. BCI reviewed the case and found it also has a conflict. The case was then taken over by Licking County sheriff’s investigators.
Married couple known for YouTube videos to open café in historic Westerville building“So to me, it's not over until it is over and that means every person who was complicit, every person that knew and did not speak is guilty,” the alleged victim said. “You enabled -- not only enabled, you encouraged -- not only encouraged, you intimidated and silenced and shamed any person that tried to speak out against it. Whether or not you committed the abuse, the sexual abuse yourself or not, you were equally as sick and sadistic.
The woman said she still has family members who are heavily involved in the church and she fears for their safety.
The investigation is continuing and Licking County detectives said there are still many interviews left to do. No charges have been filed.
Requests for comment from Faith Life Church were not returned.
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