UK Catholic adoption agency loses legal fight to discriminate against gay and lesbian couples

The Guardian - UK April 26, 2011

Catholic adoption agency loses gay adoption fight

Leeds-based agency Catholic Care told it must consider gay and lesbian couples as prospective parents

Riazat Butt, religious affairs correspondent



A Catholic adoption agency has lost a two-year battle to be excluded from laws that ban discrimination against homosexuals.

Leeds-based Catholic Care wanted exemption from the 2007 Sexual Orientation Regulations, which require it to consider gay and lesbian couples as prospective parents.

But a ruling on Tuesday by the Charity Tribunal upheld an earlier decision from the Charity Commission. The bishop of Leeds, the Right Rev Arthur Roche, said he was disappointed with the tribunal's ruling. He said: "It is unfortunate that those who will suffer as a consequence of this ruling will be the most vulnerable children, for whom Catholic Care has provided an excellent service for many years.It is an important point of principle that the charity should be able to prepare potential adoptive parents according to the tenets of the Catholic faith."

Roche had told the Charity Tribunal the agency would suffer financially if it was forced to accept applications from homosexual couples because donations would dry up.

But the tribunal said it was "impossible" to conclude that Catholic Care's income would suffer it were to operate an open adoption service.

It said: "There was evidence before the tribunal that some Catholics do offer financial support to adoption agencies which provide services to same-sex adopters but no evidence from the charity that it had considered how it might attract alternative financial supporters if it did not discriminate."

It conceded there would be "a loss to society if the charity's skilled staff were no longer engaged in the task of preparing potential adopters to offer families to children awaiting an adoption placement", but said it had to balance the risk of closure of the charity's adoption service against the "detriment to same-sex couples and the detriment to society generally of permitting the discrimination proposed".

Gay rights group Stonewall welcomed the tribunal's decision, saying there should be "no question" of publicly funded services being allowed to "pick and choose their service users on the basis of individual prejudice".

The row over exemptions for faith-based adoption agencies dates back to 2007, when the regulations were introduced. At the time, the then Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor, warned that the 11 Catholic adoption agencies would close rather than place children with gay couples.

But the then prime minister, Tony Blair, said there was "no place" for discrimination in British society.

The Tory leader David Cameron called for a compromise solution because Catholic adoption agencies did a "fantastic job in placing hard-to-place children".

While some agencies have closed, others have severed their links with the church in order to stay open.

This article was found at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/apr/26/catholic-adoption-agency-gay-lesbian

*************************************************************************

Secular News Daily  -  April 25, 2011


No ‘opt out’ from equality law: Catholic adoption agency will not be able to discriminate against same-sex couples

by British Humanist Association



No ‘opt out’ from equality law: Catholic adoption agency will not be able to discriminate against same-sex couples

Humanists have welcomed today’s unanimous Charity Tribunal decision to throw out the Catholic Care case, following a number of attempts by the adoption agency to gain permission to discriminate against same-sex couples. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has said the decision makes clear that religious organisations may not simply ‘opt themselves out’ of abiding by equality law that binds all other groups providing public services.

The BHA, an equalities and human rights organisation, campaigned vigorously in support of the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation Regulations) 2007 (SORs), which prevent discrimination by religious organisations on grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services, including in adoption services. These provisions are now part of the Equality Act 2010, and that is the law which this Charity Tribunal was making its assessments in light of.

Leeds based Catholic Care originally appealed to the Charity Commission in 2007 in light of the SORs, and in the High Court challenged the Charity Commission’s original refusal to allow the organisation to restrict their services to heterosexuals. In March 2010, the presiding Judge, Mr Justice Briggs, instructed the Commission to reconsider the request, which was refused in August. Catholic Care took their case to the Charity Tribunal and lost their appeal today.

BHA Head of Public Affairs Naomi Phillips commented, ‘Today’s decision sends a clear signal that religious organisations, including religious charities, providing public services may not simply opt themselves out of a law which prevents discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. When groups are providing public services, not least vital services such as adoption, it is legitimate to prevent unjustified discrimination, as the law seeks to do, in order to ensure that those services are equal, accessible and operate in the interests of those they are helping. Equality of individuals before the law is a cornerstone of a fair and good society, and a principle which has been upheld by today’s decision not to allow Catholic Care to discriminate against gay couples seeking to adopt.

‘Catholic Care has failed to make a convincing case to allow them to breach equality law and discriminate in the provision of adoption services, and the Charity Tribunal decision to throw out the case is to be welcomed. To have permitted an opt out from the law to allow discrimination on grounds of the organisation’s religious ethos and prejudices would be a failure to serve the children who need loving homes, as well as failing to uphold the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people to be treated equally and with respect in the provision of services.’


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This article was found at:

http://www.secularnewsdaily.com/2011/04/25/no-%E2%80%98opt-out%E2%80%99-from-equality-law-catholic-adoption-agency-will-not-be-able-to-discriminate-against-same-sex-couples/

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Independent Fundamentalist Baptist pastors reject cult label and allegations of widespread sex abuse

Greeley Gazette - Colorado April 13, 2011

Local Baptist pastors react to 20/20 story calling them cults

by Jack Minor

Local Baptist pastors took strong issue with a recent 20/20 broadcast claiming sexual abuse is widespread among the independent Baptist church movement and that their churches are cults.

Last Friday 20/20 aired a show hosted by Elizabeth Vargas described as, "exploring whether IFB churches foster an atmosphere leading to sexual abuse of children and women." The premise of the broadcast indicated that Independent Fundamental Baptist churches as a whole promote the covering up of sexual abuse including statutory rape.

The show centered around a woman, Tina Anderson, who says when she was 16 she was forced to confess the "sin" of being pregnant out of wedlock but was not allowed to say the father, who had raped her, was an adult member of the church.

Anderson claimed the church covered up the incident, discouraged her from going to police, and relocated her to Denver to cover up the crime. She went on to say she was ostracized while the man who was twice her age was allowed to serve in the church as a respected member.

Her pastor at the time, Chuck Phelps, released a statement to 20/20 producer, Alan Goldberg, in July, 2010 stating said that when he became aware of the incident he reported it to the Concord Police Department and New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth and Families.

Phelps also stated Anderson appeared before the church simply to inform members of the pregnancy and that the church responded "kindly, seeking to provide for their ongoing needs." He said at no time did the church ostracize or discipline her.

Independent Baptist churches do not have a denominational hierarchy. The churches are self- governing with the pastor as head. While the pastor is in charge of the spiritual direction of the church, the congregations have the ultimate power to hire and fire their pastors at will by a simple vote. Vargas stated during the broadcast that she considered Independent Fundamental Baptist churches to be a cult.

The Gazette contacted local independent Baptist pastors regarding the allegations that their churches promote a culture of sexual abuse and are a cult. They strongly denied 20/20's implication that all IFB churches including their own, foster a culture of abuse.

Pastor Greg Baker said years ago his church had an incident involving a teenage boy and another child. Once he became aware of it he contacted the parents and told them their son and all of them were going to talk to the police. Matt Walters, pastor of Faith Bible Baptist Church, said they have a similar policy. "We have made it very plain if there is ever an incident we will call the police immediately, even if it is in the middle of a service."

20/20 featured video clips from Dr. Jack Schaap, pastor of First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana. The college operated by the school has strong standards regarding sexual immorality. Students are not permitted to date without being chaperoned and members of the opposite sex are not permitted alone in cars, to hold hands, or be involved in any other touching. The segment did not explain how policies such as these contribute to a culture of sexual abuse.

Other allegations are that IFB churches teach absolute loyalty to the pastor under all circumstances. This led to Vargas calling the entire movement a cult.

Baptist historian, Dr. William Grady, stated this is an absolute falsehood and mischaracterization of independent fundamental Baptists. "Certainly people are taught to respect the office of pastor. The scriptures state we are to "obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves." However, that does not mean blind obedience."

Grady went on to say that a historic Baptist position is what is known as soul liberty. He explains that that means "every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Grady quoted historian John Locke who stated that, "The Baptists were the first and only propounders of absolute liberty."

"In an IFB church, the bible is the final authority and all members are encouraged to read it." Grady then went on to say that, " Anytime a pastor teaches anything contrary to that Book the people have an obligation to disobey."

The Greeley pastors both concurred with that statement. Baker said, "I always tell my congregation to question everything I say with the bible and to check it out for themselves." Walters echoed similar sentiments, "People here know they are free at anytime to come to me and ask me what is the scriptural basis for anything I say. We encourage that."

Both also deny that women are considered to be second class citizens who are not allowed to speak. Walters said the church conducted a business meeting last Sunday evening where they voted on the budget for the year and church officers. "Every member is encouraged to ask questions, including the women, and everyone has a vote." Baker stated his church has a similar policy.

Baker said while he does not deny crimes such as those mentioned in the 20/20 broadcast exist he challenges its prevalence. "It is foolish to blame the movement rather than the individual responsible for the crime." He went on to say, "I have several members in my church who were abused by leaders in several other denominations. However, I would never think of blaming the entire denomination for the actions of a few."

Walters disputed the suggestion their churches are a cult, "we have never insisted our people blindly follow us but rather encourage them to read the scriptures and think for themselves."

This article was found at:

http://www.greeleygazette.com/press/?p=9122

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Film documenting plight of teen boys abandoned and shunned by Mormon polygamists raises money for their recovery

Houston Chronicle - Texas March 31, 2011

Documentary follows teens exiled from polygamous sect

By KATE SHELLNUTT

There's something about coming-of-age films, with their familiar sense of newfound independence balanced with a yearning for family connection, a desire to grow up but not too much, that American audiences love.

In many ways, this archetype is at the center of Sons of Perdition, an independent film showing in Houston for the first time next week.

But the teenage boys featured in this documentary have a darker, more painful background as exiles from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

They're called the "lost boys." Some fled on their own. But others had their coming-of-age moment thrust upon them by a prophet who forced them to leave their families and religious community to live completely separate from the polygamist compound where they grew up.

That prophet was Warren Jeffs, the now-imprisoned leader of the 10,000-member FLDS sect, which split from mainstream Mormonism more than 120 years ago to continue the disavowed practice of plural marriage.

Over his nearly decade-long reign as head of the FLDS church, he rid the Colorado City, Ariz. , settlement of hundreds of young men while older leaders continued to take young women as wives. Jeffs is currently in a Texas prison, awaiting trial for sexual assault and bigamy.

"It's related to Jeffs. Sociologists would say it's an inevitable demographic shift that has to occur for that marriage pattern to continue," said Martha Bradley, an expert in Mormon history and dean at the University of Utah. "It's really an extreme test of loyalty for Jeffs to order one of their followers to get rid of their teenage son."

The boys who leave are, in their families' minds and their own, "sons of perdition," destined for damnation for rejecting God's teachings.

"What do you do when you're 16, and you're told that you're evil and you're going to hell?" asked Tyler Measom, who directed and produced the film with Jennilyn Merten. They followed exiled teenagers through their initial culture shock and desperate homesickness for their families.

The FLDS Church has not issued a response to the film, said Rod Parker, their Utah-based attorney.

"It's made me really angry to watch their families fall apart over religion," Merten said. "Sam (one of the boys in the film) said, 'I don't think religion should ever come between family. Family should be your religion.' "

The film debuted at the Tribeca Film Festival last year and will be screened Wednesday at Houston's 14 Pews. It will also air on the Oprah Winfrey Network this summer.

As former Mormons who made the difficult decision to leave the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Measom and Merten knew what it felt like to take that disappointing turn from such a tight religious group.

"It was a difficult, difficult process," said Measom. "You're disappointing family and community and everything you've come to believe."

The boys they met — Joe Broadbent, Bruce Barlow and Sam Zitting - had it much harder and may always struggle with living apart from their relatives.

"Getting involved helped expel some of that sympathy," Merten said. Their documentary has raised $100,000 to support ex-FLDS youth making the transition to living on their own.

She still follows Jeffs' trial and the state of the community, which appears to be in turmoil.

Though Jeffs hasn't formally resigned his presidency, church elder William E. Jessop became president of the corporation that is the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after filing papers with the Utah Department of Commerce on Monday, in what Jessop calls "an attempt to restore the church."

"It's really going to be interesting now to see, No. 1, Warren Jeffs' reaction, and No. 2, what the people's reaction will be," said Anne Wilde, co-founder of the polygamy advocacy group Principle Voices. Jeffs already ceded authority of the church once to Jessop in 2007, although Jessop didn't act on the directive at the time.

President of the church since 2002, Jeffs has spent most of the past four years behind bars. He was arrested in 2006 and convicted the next year on Utah charges of rape as an accomplice. The conviction was later overturned, and Jeffs was extradited to Texas. Trial is set for July in San Angelo.

Accusations against Jeffs date back to 2004, when his nephew Brent filed a sexual abuse suit against him. In Brent's book, Lost Boy, he writes that the leader abused him and his two brothers.

Even a guilty ruling for Jeffs may not shake the faith of his followers, who believe that persecution from outsiders is a sign that they are following the will of God.

"The idea of being a persecuted people means this plays into the thinking that, 'We're right. We're a special people,' " said Merten, who researched Jeffs for the film.

The allegations of sexual assault against children - raised by evidence found in the raid of their ranch in 2008 - may have discouraged members from taking younger wives.

"That's one very positive thing to come out of this; they've already started to be more cautious (about marriage ages)," said Bradley, the historian.

Measom and Merten said they're hopeful the FLDS community will become more open, allowing children to attend public schools and letting the lost boys reunite with their families.

Before coming to Houston, Sons of Perdition screened in Austin, San Antonio and Dallas.

"We're hoping for San Angelo next," Merten half-joked.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

This article was found at:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/7500916.html

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Exclusive Brethren demands apology for discrimination, survivor says cult should apologize for breaking up families

Goulburn Post  -  Australia     March 23, 2011

Former Brethren wants national apology

BY DAVID COLE


MEMBERS of the Exclusive Brethren in Goulburn have demanded an apology from Cr Geoff Peterson for offensive comments he allegedly made to them in a council building on September 23 last year.

It has prompted a former member of the Brethren, also living in Goulburn, to ask for a national apology from them for “ex-communicating” him and separating him from his family.

David Lidgard, of Goulburn, said last week he felt a national apology from the Brethren to him and others was overdue.

“I, along with all others who have been excommunicated from the Brethren should get a national apology from them for how we have been discriminated against,” Mr Lidgard said.

“I want an apology from them on behalf of all who have suffered from their ‘doctrine of separation’, whereby in the past they have excommunicated a person and separated them from their family.

“We talk of the Stolen Generation, who Kevin Rudd apologised to - we ex-Brethren also lost our families.”

Mr Lidgard said he was ex-communicated from the Brethren in 1961 for owning a transistor radio. “I have not had any contact with my parents since I was kicked out in 1961,” he said.

“I was ex-communicated from the Brethren on April 9, 1961 by the late Bruce Hales senior, who was then their Elect Vessel of God, and he instructed my parents that I had to leave the family home - because I had the transistor radio.

“Then three of my other brothers were treated the same. My eldest brother Arthur Lidgard was married with five children and he was excommunicated in 1962. He came home from work to find his wife and children had been removed by Brethren members from the family home.”

Mr Lidgard said his brother’s family was later reunited. He said the current issue with Cr Peterson had brought up personal “stuff” for him.

“I have been out of the Brethren for 50 years, but this opportunity has come up for me to express my opinion of the Brethren to the general public and about what the Brethren do to former members and what they are now doing to our councillor (Peterson),” he said.

“They are making a mountain out of a molehill,” he said.

“As far back as I can remember Brethren women have worn the ribbons in their hair - so what I am getting at is - why are the Brethren making such an issue of it?

“The Brethren should follow the teachings in the bible - such as Matthew 5-39 and Luke 6-29 - that is when someone strikes you on the right cheek you should turn the other cheek and not fight back.” Mr Lidgard said over the years he had written to various MPs, the NSW Anti- Discrimination Board and the Human Rights Commission in relation to his complaints against the Brethren.

This article was found at:

http://www.goulburnpost.com.au/news/local/news/general/former-brethren-wants-national-apology/2111576.aspx

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The Age - Australia March 25, 2011

Exclusive Brethren parents claim 'tax lurk of biblical proportions'

by Michael Bachelard


Parents in the Exclusive Brethren avoid paying tax on the bulk of their children's school fees in an arrangement that would be illegal if sought by other Australian parents.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon has called for a tax office investigation into the arrangement which he said looked ''at first blush like a tax lurk of biblical proportions''.

When most parents pay school fees, they are paying it from income which has already been taxed. If they sought to avoid tax by paying it via tax-deductable donations, or through a family trust, they could be prosecuted for tax evasion.

But figures released on the MySchool website show the Exclusive Brethren, a radically separatist Christian sect with about 15,000 members in Australia, gets around this law.

The website reveals that, at their Victorian school, Glenvale, 54 per cent of the income is tax-free because it is paid by parents through distributions from family trusts as well as donations. Because a school is a tax-free entity, Brethren families who arrange their business in this way do not need to pay tax on that money.

This tax-free money makes up the majority of the Brethren schools' income, with another 28 per cent at Glenvale coming from government hand-outs, and the rest from modest fees paid from Brethren families' post-tax income.

At the Meadowbank Education Trust, the Exclusive Brethren school in Sydney, government funding (state and federal) totals almost $9000 per student, fees paid by parents from post-tax income are just $2700, and the rest, $14,300 per student, comes from tax-free donations and distributions.

This means that, though the government funding is on par with the most disadvantaged schools, the controversial Christian sect has $26,000 per student to spend — more than some top flight private schools such as Xavier College, Scotch College and Wesley College.

The pattern is replicated at the six Exclusive Brethren schools around Australia. In 2009, the sect raised $32.4 million in tax-free money to send its 2537 students to school.

This dwarfs the tax-free component of any other private school in Australia, and acts as a de facto second government subsidy to Exclusive Brethren schools. At other comparable small Christian schools, tax-free payments by parents make up between about 1 and 4 per cent of income.

The tax office has ruled that if parents seek a special agreement with an ordinary private school to pay their fees as a distribution from a family trust, it constitutes tax evasion. But the Exclusive Brethren obtained legal advice in about 2006 that their arrangement, which covers all their members, was legal.

Only Brethren children attend these schools, and in the theology of the sect, they are constantly warned to stay separate from the outside world. They are told that ''worldly'' people are dangerous, and will ''defile'' and ''contaminate'' them. As a result, many grow up in fear.

They are also all but barred from going to university.The sect, whose leader is Sydney-based businessman Bruce D. Hales, is adept at what it describes as ''spoiling the Egyptians'' — or taking as much money from the public purse as it can legally manage.

Exclusive Brethren spokesman Bob Lawrence, of PR firm Jackson Wells, denied the system was specifically set up to avoid tax.

''The schools and parents follow all appropriate tax, education and other guidelines and comply with Australian law,'' he said.

Senator Xenophon said the tax office ''needs to tell Australian taxpayers whether this sort of arrangement is sanctioned''.

''If what the Exclusive Brethren is doing is more broadly applied it could cause a multi-billion dollar hole in tax revenue,'' he said.

This article was found at:

http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/exclusive-brethren-parents-claim-tax-lurk-of-biblical-proportions-20110325-1c960.html

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Six more members of Wisconsin house church to be charged for beating children according to biblical dictate

Wisconsin State Journal  -  March 21, 2011

More people to be charged with child abuse for alleged Biblical punishment methods

by SANDY CULLEN


Six more members of a Black Earth church are expected to face child abuse charges in what experts say is a rare — and legally indefensible — case of claiming the Bible dictates using a rod to punish children as young as 2 months.

"I think these are deviant people, not deviant beliefs," said law professor Michael Broyde, who is academic director of the Law and Religion Program and a project director at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University in Atlanta.

"It's an exceptionally rare view of the Bible that permits activity that would otherwise be considered abuse," said Broyde, who is also a rabbi.

"As I understand the Biblical text," he said, "there is no right in the Bible to commit child abuse."

People cannot defend themselves from a criminal charge "by saying my religion made me do it," Broyde said, adding, "The law ignores your religious motivation."

Last week, Philip Caminiti, 53, head pastor and elder at Aleitheia Bible Church, and his brother, John Caminiti, 45, both of Black Earth, were charged with a total of 12 counts of child abuse. According to a criminal complaint, they admitted using rods and dowels to hit the backsides of children in their family and other church families.

Both appeared in court Monday and were released on signature bonds with instructions from Court Commissioner Todd Meurer not to inflict corporal punishment on any child and not to discuss the case with other people who will be charged, along with child witnesses and victims.

On Friday, subpoenas were sent to three couples who are church members to appear Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court on charges of being a party to intentional child abuse of their children, causing bodily harm, said Dane County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Elise Schaffer.

They are: Andrea L. Wick, 26, and Timothy J. Wick, 27, of Mazomanie; and Alina N. Caminiti, 24, Matthew B. Caminiti, 27, Maria J. Stephenson, 29, and Timothy D. Stephenson, 28, all of Black Earth.

The Sheriff's Office began investigating in November after former church members expressed concerns about the mistreatment of children, Schaffer said.

The victims are 12 children, ranging in age from infants to age 6, she said. Their parents described redness and bruising as common results of the spankings.

Schaffer said church members were open about their "spare the rod, spoil the child philosophy" and described using wooden dowels and wooden spoons on the bare skin of children as young as 2 months. The dowels were 12 inches to 18 inches long and the diameter of a quarter.

Church members said Philip Caminiti instructed parents on how to use rods for spankings, Schaffer said. One person described children being grumpy, emotional or crying as behaviors that warranted a spanking with a dowel.

Schaffer said the church was formed in 2006 when some members of the Curtiss Street Bible Fellowship broke away to start their own congregation.

She said the new church was started with a donation of between $500,000 and $600,000 from Bob and Lori Wick of Mazomanie.

Lori Wick declined comment Monday, saying attorneys have advised them not to discuss the case.

While experts say there is no clear threshold that differentiates discipline from abuse, Schaffer said Wisconsin law considers child abuse to be anything excessive or beyond reasonable discipline.

Sociology professor Murray Straus, co-director of the Family Research Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire and an expert on the effects of spanking, said that in addition to immediate physical harm, corporal punishment can lead to long-term psychological problems.

"The more spanking, the greater the probability of a child being depressed as an adult," Straus said, adding that children who are spanked also are more likely to be delinquent and to get in trouble.

Straus said he considers using wooden rods to discipline youngsters to be both child abuse and a violation of children's rights to be brought up without violence.

State Journal reporter Ed Treleven contributed to this story.

This article was found at:

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_a8684e74-5428-11e0-b9d6-001cc4c03286.html

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Pastor of Wisconsin house church charged for beating children with rods says he was just using biblical punishment

Wisconsin State Journal - March 18, 2011

Black Earth pastor, brother charged with child abuse for spanking kids with dowels, rods

By DEVIN ROSE


The head pastor of a Black Earth church and his brother have been charged with a total of 12 counts of child abuse, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday in Dane County Circuit Court.

Philip Caminiti, 53, head pastor and elder at Aleitheia Bible Church, and his brother, John Caminiti, 45, also of Black Earth, allegedly hit the backsides of children with rods and dowels. The alleged victims are children in the Caminitis' family and other children whose families are part of the church.

"If you spank early and it is done right, then kids will be happy and obedient," Philip Caminiti told investigators.

He also admitted to instructing parents within the church — which holds services and meetings at his and another member's home — to hit their children on the bare buttocks with a rod because there's a large amount of flesh there.

He told investigators he likes the immediacy of spanking and the Bible says a rod should be used.

Philip Caminiti faces up to 6 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine, or both, for each of the eight counts, which range from June 2006 to November 2010.

John Caminiti told investigators in November he uses a rod or dowel on his two youngest children at home or at church and the scriptures make it clear his behavior is allowed.

He said he does not allow his family to communicate with people outside his religious beliefs and has punished his wife and son by shunning, or confining them to their rooms to have no contact with other family members, until they corrected their disobedience.

For each of his four counts of party of a crime of mental harm to a child, he faces up to 12½ years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine, or both. The penalties for each of his four counts of intentional child abuse are the same as his brother's.

This article was found at:

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_dcf65a46-51d5-11e0-8db1-001cc4c03286.html

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