Child Abuse
Lawsuit: Mormon bishop was told of prior abuse by Jared Wilson, then Wilson allegedly raped girl, 11, inside Raleigh meetinghouse
A woman has filed a lawsuit against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints alleging that in January 2010, when she was 11 years old, she was raped by Jared Harding Wilson inside an LDS meetinghouse in Raleigh, North Carolina. The lawsuit, filed October 20, 2026 in Wake County Superior Court, claims a Mormon bishop had been told Wilson had previously abused children but allowed him continued access to church buildings and youth. According to the lawsuit as reported by FLOODLIT, a database tracking abuse cases connected to religious institutions, Wilson allegedly assaulted the girl in a room inside the Raleigh stake center during a church activity. The complaint states church leaders were aware of prior allegations against Wilson but failed to warn members or restrict his access to children. The Church has not publicly responded to the allegations.
November 9, 2026 at 2:19 AM MT · via FLOODLIT · 2 sources
Podcast examines what Mormon leaders knew about Wade Christofferson's abuse history
Mormon Discussion's Bill Reel interviews attorney Robert Herguth about Wade Christofferson, a man with a known history of child sexual abuse who continued to hold positions in the LDS Church and maintain access to children. The episode asks who in Church leadership knew about Christofferson's history, when they knew it, and why more people were not warned.
November 6, 2026 at 11:02 PM MT · via YouTube / Mormon Discussion Inc. · 6 sources
Cedar City parents charged after infant hospitalized with fractures, bruises
Two Cedar City parents are facing child abuse charges after their 4-month-old infant was hospitalized with multiple fractures and bruises, according to ABC4 Utah. The arrests followed a medical examination that identified injuries inconsistent with accidental causes. The parents are accused of inflicting the injuries; both have been charged and are awaiting court proceedings. The infant remains in protective custody.
November 5, 2026 at 12:02 AM MT · via ABC4 Utah · 2 sources
Michael Haight's history of abuse allegations before 2023 family killing detailed in new report
People magazine examines the case of Michael Haight, who killed his wife and four children in 2023, revealing a pattern of prior abuse allegations that were never fully addressed by authorities or institutions. The investigation documents systemic failures in reporting and accountability, raising questions about how warning signs went unheeded. The story underscores recurring gaps in institutional response to domestic violence in Utah and beyond.
October 28, 2026 at 12:01 PM MT · via People.com
Jan Broberg reflects on life 52 years after being kidnapped twice by family friend
Jan Broberg, kidnapped twice as a child in one of America's most infamous abduction cases, reflects on her life five decades later in a People magazine feature. Broberg's story—involving a family friend who manipulated her parents and the community around her—has resurfaced as a cautionary tale about grooming, coercion, and institutional failure. She has become an advocate for abuse awareness and survivor support.
October 26, 2026 at 1:01 AM MT · via People.com
Las Vegas court dismisses LDS Church abuse lawsuit; woman given 10 days to refile
A Las Vegas judge dismissed an abuse lawsuit against The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on procedural grounds, but granted the plaintiff 10 days to refile her case. The dismissal is not a ruling on the merits of the abuse allegations. The decision illustrates ongoing litigation involving the Church's handling of abuse cases and comes amid a broader pattern of lawsuits across multiple states.
October 24, 2026 at 4:01 PM MT · via Hoodline · 2 sources
El Paso couple arrested after adopted teen found beaten, malnourished
An El Paso couple has been arrested after their adopted teenage son was discovered beaten, malnourished, and near death, according to law enforcement. The case involves allegations of severe abuse and neglect of a minor in their care, with court records and police accounts detailing the condition in which the child was found.
October 21, 2026 at 11:01 AM MT · via KFOX
New details emerge in case involving Heather and Seth Day, accused of child abuse
Court filings and reporting reveal new allegations in the high-profile case of Heather Thompson Day and Seth Day, who are accused of abuse. The couple's case has drawn scrutiny from ex-Mormon communities and legal watchdogs tracking institutional responses to abuse allegations.
October 20, 2026 at 12:01 PM MT · via ChurchLeaders · 3 sources
Utah parents arrested on suspicion of child abuse homicide after second infant dies
A Bluffdale couple was arrested on suspicion of child abuse homicide after their second infant died while in their care. The deaths have prompted investigators to examine whether abuse was a factor in both cases, raising questions about oversight and family services response. The case reflects recurring patterns in child-protection cases that have drawn scrutiny in Utah.
October 20, 2026 at 1:01 AM MT · via KJZZ
California couple at center of surrogacy scandal accused of child abuse
ABC News reports on a California couple accused of child abuse in connection with a surrogacy arrangement. The sourcing and full details of any LDS connection are not clear from the headline alone and require verification against the Crime Language Template sourcing requirements before publication.
October 19, 2026 at 5:01 PM MT · via ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos · 5 sources
Tim Ballard claims Church excommunicated him to hide abuse
Anti-trafficking activist Tim Ballard told a podcast that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints excommunicated him to conceal child sexual abuse within the faith, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. Ballard, who founded Operation Underground Railroad and faces sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women, made the claim without providing evidence for institutional cover-up.
October 15, 2026 at 6:02 PM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune · 4 sources
Church breaks ground for chapel at site of deadly 2006 Galt shooting
The LDS Church broke ground for a new meetinghouse in Galt, California, at the site where a 2006 shooting and arson attack killed three people during a Sunday service. The original chapel was destroyed in the attack. The groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in the congregation's recovery from the violent incident that drew national attention two decades ago.
October 9, 2026 at 12:02 AM MT · via The Salt Lake Tribune