In 2016, Dinnel reached out to News 4 in the evening, sharing that he had contacted the Department of Human Services upon overhearing two girls discussing the allegations.
The police were contacted by the parents of one of the alleged victims, according to records.
Officials would not revisit the case until approximately eight years later.
According to records, Dinnel reached out to his lead pastor, Mike Meeks, who indicated that they were not obligated to report the incident as it did not occur within their church. However, despite this, Dinnel took the initiative to file an anonymous report with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to court records, Dinnel claimed that he received threats regarding his job security if he were to report the incident further. He expressed his belief that there are no emails discussing the situation, suggesting that the Church may have been attempting to conceal any documentation related to the events.
ORIGINAL STORY
A 91-year-old man has been arrested and taken into custody following allegations of long-term child abuse within the Shawnee First Church of Nazarene.
Several pastors were aware of allegations that 91-year-old Charles Sulivant had been molesting young girls, based on police records. However, they chose not to report the incidents to the authorities.
During our conversation, Johnny Stephens, who served as the pastor at the time of the alleged abuse, informed me that he had spoken with the parents. When News 4 confronted Stephens on Thursday, it became apparent that he was one of the pastors who did not contact the police.
In 2016, a mother came forward and reported the alleged abuse that her daughter had experienced.
Charges were not filed officially and interviews were not conducted until this year. It was only after the original victim came forward that five other victims were revealed.
The interviews took place during the summer, with some of the crimes being alleged to have occurred before 2016.
The victim went to her pastor at the time, Stephens, without involving the police.
According to records, Terry Rowland, the Nazarene District Superintendent at the time, was informed about the incident. However, it is alleged that he discouraged the girl from pursuing the matter further by suggesting that a family member of hers could potentially lose their minister’s license.
A fourteen-year-old victim shared her harrowing experience, recounting how she managed to escape her molester by swiftly elbowing him in the groin.
According to her, she was informed that she was a “troublemaker” and that no one would trust her.
Several other victims had also been interviewed by the police, and their stories were similar.
According to documents, another pastor named Drew Dinnel had knowledge of at least two victims and informed the then-superintendent Terry Rowland. However, Rowland reportedly attempted to discourage Dinnel from reporting it and suggested leaving it to the girls’ families to take action.
Dinnel did not immediately return News 4’s call for comment but did reach out on Thursday night.
During the interview with Shawnee Police, Sulivant was brought in and reportedly confessed to much of the incident, stating, “You know, I had forgotten all about this.”
In response to being informed that the girls hadn’t forgotten, he expressed remorse, saying, “I can only apologize. We all make mistakes, and this was definitely one of them.”
He admitted his involvement in the case when he was brought in by the department in August, but he was not officially processed and placed in jail until November 5.
When approached by News 4, former Pastor Stephens admitted that he had retired from his position as the pastor of the church. He acknowledged that he had spoken with parents on multiple occasions as they had informed him.
Should Sulivant have been completely removed from the church? What are your thoughts on this matter?
Stephens expressed his unwillingness to excommunicate anyone.
Why? Even if they might be sexually abusing young girls?
Stephens expressed her determination to uncover the truth, stating, “I need to find out.” In her pursuit of answers, she sought the help of the girl’s parents to talk to Charles. Assured by them that they had indeed spoken to him and that everything was fine, Stephens saw this as a redemptive process, an opportunity to bring about positive change in Charles.
But you didn’t succeed, did you? Four or five girls potentially being subjected to molestation by this man.
“Did he? Did they?” Stephens asked, expressing his uncertainty. “I made a sincere effort to keep an eye on him.”
If given the opportunity to travel back in time, what actions would you take?
Stephens expressed his thoughts on what he would do in such a situation, stating, “I would go back and call the police.”
Why not refuse him re-entry into the church?
Stephens insisted, “No, no. Allow him to enter the church.”
Despite allegations of molesting girls, he continues to face consequences.
Stephens admitted that in hindsight, she would have called the police if given the chance to redo the situation. However, at the time, she was focused on trying to help redeem him. She was in the midst of trying to understand the whole situation and made the decision based on that. Looking back, she acknowledges that her decision may have been wrong.
Perhaps?
Stephens acknowledged that the action was indeed incorrect.
Sulivant quickly posted bail shortly after being processed at the Pottawatomie County Public Safety Center. News 4 approached him at his residence in Macomb, where he declined to give an interview.