An Allegation of Child Abuse
See also: Child abuseA family noticed injuries on their 2 year old son after attending the on site daycare at the church in January 2006. They believed he was struck with a ruler while under the care of a teacher in the employ of the church. When the parents brought the injuries to the attention of the church, they were banned from the property and threatened with criminal trespassing charges if they ever returned.
The Church and the teacher were found liable in a lawsuit brought by the parents of the 2 year old child for causing injury while spanking the child. The jury awarded the family US$5 million in punitive damages, and US$999,100 in compensatory damages, reduced at appeal: "On May 23, 2008, the trial court entered a final judgment of $2,871,431.87 in favor of plaintiffs. WHC is solely liable for $2,789,066.87 of the judgment; Vaughan is primarily liable, and WHC secondarily liable, for the remaining $82,365 in compensatory damages entered against Vaughan.". It is important to note that a police investigation from both the Columbus police and Franklin County Children Services resulted in no criminal charges.
Read more about this topic: World Harvest Church
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