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Hi - I'm Jason. I am an attorney who practices law in San Francisco, California. I represent survivors of sexual abuse and help people find justice caused by the negligence of others. My team and I are ready to help you.
Were you or a loved one sexually abused by Wesley Craig Parnell, a former Bible class teacher and youth group director at a Salinas, California Southern Baptist church? Contact our team today to speak with a California Clergy Abuse Lawyer.
Prosecutors accused Parnell of molesting two young boys, gaining their trust by buying them toys. He was arrested on June 14 on charges of molesting an 8-year-old boy in the late-1990s. The next month, prosecutors added additional charges, in connection to the molestation of an older boy, now 18 years old. The abuse took place in January 1999.
Similar Case: California Southern Baptist Pastor Andres Ybarra Garcia Convicted Of Child Sexual Abuse
In 2003, Parnell was convicted on multiple sex crime charges, including oral copulation with a drugged victim and lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14. He pleaded no contest to the charges, accepting punishment but not admitting his guilt. For his crimes, the former youth group director served 13 years in a California prison. He is now a registered sex offender in the State of California.
Wesley Craig Parnell has received his punishment, but many questions remain. While the name of the church where Parnell served has not been publicized, Salinas is home to at least six churches associated with the Southern Baptist Convention:
Is it possible that Parnell’s church knew of his misconduct, but failed to report it? Similar allegations have been made against other Southern Baptist churches over recent years. For now, it remains an open area of investigation. Parnell molested at least two boys during his time as a youth group director for the Salinas church? But could he have other victims? This, too, is an open matter for investigation.
If you or a loved one were abused by Wesley Craig Parnell, we urge you to reach out to our experienced sexual abuse attorneys today. Help us complete our investigation. We can help you. Thanks to California’s strong tradition of civil law, some survivors may be eligible to pursue a civil lawsuit against Parnell’s Southern Baptist church. Claims may also be possible against the Southern Baptist Convention, which has been accused of negligence and wrongdoing.
Wesley Craig Parnell occupied a position of trust and authority. But who put this convicted child molester in power? Who gave him the authority to prey on young unsuspecting victims? In a series of new lawsuits, sexual abuse survivors from across the country say the blame should lay on individual Southern Baptist churches and the Southern Baptist Convention, an organization that has not, to this day, issued a concrete sexual abuse policy.
In their lawsuits, survivors say the Southern Baptist Convention has failed to address the problem of sexual abuse within its ranks, thus empowering dangerous sexual predators to prey on unsuspecting victims. The survivors also take aim at individual churches, which they say have turned a blind eye to sexual abuse and assault occurring under their watch.
Were you or a loved one sexually abused by Wesley Craig Parnell? You may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Learn more about your legal options in a free, confidential consultation today. Contact our CA clergy assault attorneys now to ensure your rights are protected.
No one deserves to be mistreated. You deserved more – from your church and the people you trusted. You have a powerful voice. You can get past this. Filing a civil lawsuit may be the first step on the road to true recovery. Find more information about your rights at no charge and no obligation. Reach out for help now.
