INDEPENDENCE, MO -
As if of sodomy, rape and bestiality allegations involving children weren't enough, police said the mother of the victims and a church leader were aware of the alleged sexual abuse against five of the Mohler family children. However, no official police investigation was ever done.
A former Mormon Bishop in Independence, Mo., said during the time of the alleged abuse, the wife of Burrel Mohler Jr. told him several times she feared Mohler Jr. was abusing their children.
"The beginning of the problem I was aware that she was accusing him of being... Sexual abuse? Yeah, sexual abuse or whatever," said Paul Tonga, former Mormon Bishop.
Five of the Mohler men charged with sex crimes against children have long been members of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints denomination and had attended their local Community of Christ Church. But a spokesperson with the Community of Christ Church wanted to make it clear, they were never informed about any abuse in the Mohler family.
"They would have been made to the Mormon church and not to Community of Christ because they were not members of this denomination," said Linda Booth, spokesperson.
"We have strict reporting rules and investigation that has to occur and strict reporting to police as well as administrators," said Booth.
Records from 1982 signed by Mohler Jr. state his family's desire to withdraw from the Community of Christ Church and join the Mormon congregation that was right across the street, while the other Mohler men and their families continued to remain a part of the Community of Christ Church.
Bishop Paul Tonga headed the Mormon church at the time Mohler Jr.'s family attended. He would only speak to FOX 4 by phone. Tonga said he spent a lot of time questioning Burrel Jr. and his children, but learned nothing.
"He denied the accusation," Tonga said. "Nobody admitted anything for the children."
Tonga said his investigation ended there. He did not explain why he never contacted police.
In a statement to FOX 4 on Friday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said that they have "a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to child abusers. When abuse is suspected, the Church directs its members to first contact the legal authorities and then their local bishop for counseling and support. The Church cooperates fully with law enforcement in investigating incidents of child abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice."
The statement continues: "Had Bishop Paul Tonga consulted with Church leaders about the past child abuse allegations made against Burell E. Mohler Jr. he would have been told to ensure the proper authorities were notified."
"Burell E. Mohler Jr. is the only member of those under arrest who has ever been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," said the church in their statement. "He was excommunicated in 2007 for personal conduct that had nothing to do with child sexual abuse."
The statement did not specify the nature of the personal conduct that led to Burrell Mohler Jr.'s excommunication.
A former Mormon Bishop in Independence, Mo., said during the time of the alleged abuse, the wife of Burrel Mohler Jr. told him several times she feared Mohler Jr. was abusing their children.
"The beginning of the problem I was aware that she was accusing him of being... Sexual abuse? Yeah, sexual abuse or whatever," said Paul Tonga, former Mormon Bishop.
Five of the Mohler men charged with sex crimes against children have long been members of the Reorganized Church of the Latter Day Saints denomination and had attended their local Community of Christ Church. But a spokesperson with the Community of Christ Church wanted to make it clear, they were never informed about any abuse in the Mohler family.
"They would have been made to the Mormon church and not to Community of Christ because they were not members of this denomination," said Linda Booth, spokesperson.
"We have strict reporting rules and investigation that has to occur and strict reporting to police as well as administrators," said Booth.
Records from 1982 signed by Mohler Jr. state his family's desire to withdraw from the Community of Christ Church and join the Mormon congregation that was right across the street, while the other Mohler men and their families continued to remain a part of the Community of Christ Church.
Bishop Paul Tonga headed the Mormon church at the time Mohler Jr.'s family attended. He would only speak to FOX 4 by phone. Tonga said he spent a lot of time questioning Burrel Jr. and his children, but learned nothing.
"He denied the accusation," Tonga said. "Nobody admitted anything for the children."
Tonga said his investigation ended there. He did not explain why he never contacted police.
In a statement to FOX 4 on Friday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said that they have "a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to child abusers. When abuse is suspected, the Church directs its members to first contact the legal authorities and then their local bishop for counseling and support. The Church cooperates fully with law enforcement in investigating incidents of child abuse and bringing perpetrators to justice."
The statement continues: "Had Bishop Paul Tonga consulted with Church leaders about the past child abuse allegations made against Burell E. Mohler Jr. he would have been told to ensure the proper authorities were notified."
"Burell E. Mohler Jr. is the only member of those under arrest who has ever been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," said the church in their statement. "He was excommunicated in 2007 for personal conduct that had nothing to do with child sexual abuse."
The statement did not specify the nature of the personal conduct that led to Burrell Mohler Jr.'s excommunication.
