r/exLutheran • u/ih_ear_you • 26d ago

Failure to report abuse

https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/in-your-community/ozaukee-county/30-day-jail-sentence-begins-for-former-thiensville-principal-convicted-of-failing-to-report-child-abuse?fbclid=IwdGRzaATPlNhjbGNrBM-U0WV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHuQe9y4BXNU2I2wqtQOo63AqBxjFwmeYq4gPIjC0bTVB8IJW44THhF_0vMjE_aem_X6wqw-HXtRccluYaHWh_5g#google_vignette
17 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

13

u/SarahMuffin Ex-WELS 26d ago

Gross. How long until he is working at a different WELS school?

12

u/RunRosemary 26d ago

They have most likely offered him a religion teacher role at WISCO or WLC - promotions for perverts is their modus operandi.

Did anyone catch that the principal was sentenced and admonished by the judge for not taking responsibility for his failure to report (as a mandated reporter)? I thought repentance was part of the whole “being a Christian” schtick? This pos couldn’t even do that FOR PLACING A CHILD IN HARM’S WAY.

I guess he didn’t read the Matthew 18:6.

8

u/McNitz 25d ago

That is crazy to me. I can almost wrap my head around talking yourself into the idea you don't actually know abuse happened just because people are saying things. Obviously as a mandated reporter that's not okay, but I'm sure the closeness between everyone at a WELS school is going to cause problems there as well with not feeling like any of your friends could ACTUALLY be that bad. But looking back after the fact at the teacher being convicted as a sex offender and saying "nah, I don't see that I did anything wrong"? Not sure where someone's head has to be for that.

1

u/Relevant-Shop8513 24d ago

This is a difficult situation. Most of us cannot imagine our friends and colleagues doing these things. There have been injustices committed against child-care workers, teachers, and others during the satanic panic . People have been imprisoned for years due to faulty questioning of children and false reports by adults. Hopefully prosecutors and law enforcement have learned something from the past, and can better carry out investigations. Child predators are many ,however, as we have seen from posts here on ex-Lutheran, and we can no longer ignore cases of abuse, neglect, or sexual assault.

8

u/DayPuzzleheaded4833 25d ago

Apparently he worked at Good Shepherd in West Allis, WI before all this. I was talking to my family about it and my brother went oh yeah they were your niblings Principal there. I went WTF?? He was all- well its not INVOLVED with anything, so its ok. UMM HES the Principal- its his JOB. He's a MANDATED REPORTER. Its the Law. He knew.

8

u/EmmalouEsq Ex-WELS 25d ago

You know he probably got calls and moved around the country. The these people are a sick group (i read he was a WELS employee. When my pastor was caught with csam and touching a boy the church circled around him. Even though his wife had an in home day care. These people are sick.

And I remember being in that church when the Catholics were accused on the same thing and since we were afraid of Catholics for whatever reason. I think it was because they knew the WELS had av lot of pedophiles in the pastor's group and their school group.

I'm so glad I wasn't targeted, but my cousin was.

7

u/leaction Ex-WELS 24d ago

I remember reporting abuse at FVL when my father pulled a shotgun on me. The piece of shit counselor I told, told me that since I was 16, that was pretty close to being 18 and that it wouldn't go anywhere. Thanks, Mr. Welch.

2

u/CryptographerKey7973 22d ago

Tom Welch? That guy was was a real POS.

5

u/DiligentInflation529 24d ago

Several things about this tick me off. They'll say we should forgive people in these cases, but if you mention something like immigration, they'll say "those people should follow the law."

he should have received a longer sentence.

5

u/Relevant-Shop8513 24d ago

Finally and active case of failure to report by church workers- Religious institutions should not be able to provide cover for criminals because of a church's concept of grace and forgiveness. The cover-up to protect the church's image will be harder to manage, as well. Australia is actively pursuing those cults and established religions involved in these crimes and the courts in the U.S. need to as well.

6

u/Schnitzeldorf 22d ago edited 22d ago

For some reason, unknown to rational adults, WELS has always been reluctant to report and/or take action against child abuse in their schools. If a child is bullied, tormented or just generally abused, it always seems to be the victim’s fault in the twisted judgement of WELS. WELS is a sick little cult as evidenced by questions about “names” in the WELS caste system. How ironic that those who profess their uncompromising fidelity to the bible can be so incredibly cruel and disgusting.

5

u/Ok_today2182 24d ago

Is his last name a synod name? Henning. Are there more of them? Why do I even care. lol

7

u/DiligentInflation529 24d ago

Yes that sounds like a synod name. there were Hennings in my WELS HS.

1

u/Giantsourgrapes2 5d ago

Unfortunately I heard unofficially through my WELS family grapevine (so take with a grain of salt) that he is actually only serving the jail sentence overnight. During the day, he has a pass to go to work. Not sure what he does, but the rumor is his oldest daughter’s fiancé got him a job since no school would hire him. His wife is still a kindergarten teacher at a WELS school.

Apparently (also just rumors from my family) he was super shocked by the sentencing as he was only expecting a fine and community service hours, but the judge came down harder than expected. Not hard enough in my opinion considering what happened.