A married couple who beforehand labored at an Oregon Christian college and have been lately accused of sexually abusing a former pupil are claiming their innocence.
David Alan Wakefield, 60, was indicted by a Clackamas County grand jury on 20 counts of sexual abuse, and his spouse, Rachel Jean Wakefield, 54, was indicted on Feb. 20 on 11 counts of sexual abuse, in keeping with Sergeant Ross Clemson of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Workplace.
The couple labored at a Christian college in Damascus and have been accused of allegedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old lady who was on their basketball staff. The alleged sufferer is now an grownup.
David and Rachel Wakefield turned themselves in to the Clackamas County Jail on Feb. 28 and have been launched on $100,000 bond.
In accordance with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Workplace, the alleged abuse spanned 4 years when David Wakefield labored at Damascus Christian as the college's principal and then-athletic director till 2020. Rachel Wakefield labored on the college in its place instructor and coach.
The pair denied the allegations leveled in opposition to them.
Wakefield's legal professional informed CBS affiliate KOIN that the couple “have been valued members of the Clackamas County group all through their lives. They deny the allegations and look ahead to the day the reality comes out.”
Established in 1975, Damascus Christian Faculty serves 365 college students in kindergarten by way of twelfth grade.
On its web site, the college boasts of its Bible-based curriculum delivered to college students utilizing the acronym “SOAR,” which stands for: “Religious Formation, Outreach, Educational Rigor and Relevance.” The web site provides that the college is “dedicated to working with dad and mom to supply our kids with a biblical worldview [in order to] to see our college students remodeled by way of the discipleship mannequin and spiritually GIVE UP.”
In an announcement posted on its Fb web page, the college stated it was “heartbroken” by the allegations.
“Though the couple has not been related to the church or college for a while, the Damascus Neighborhood Church and Christian Faculty proceed to take these reviews very severely and the security of our college students and workers is a high precedence. We are going to cooperate totally with legislation enforcement and the courts throughout this course of if requested,” it stated.
“Please be a part of us in praying for all who’re on this scenario.”
The varsity added that anybody with extra info relating to the allegations or different allegations ought to “contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Workplace straight.”
The Wakefield household acquired media consideration in 2017 after their college-aged daughter, Ana, was almost killed in a collision with a drunk driver.
Ana's restoration course of was the main target of a documentary known as “Combat Like Ana.”
The couple at the moment are awaiting court docket dates, the primary of which is about for April.
Nicole VanDyke is a reporter for The Christian Publish.
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