AL Pastor and Daycare Workers Arrested on Charges Related to Child Abuse
Pastor and daycare director knew of potential abuse and didn’t report incident, according to police
Moundville, AL – The pastor of the Moundville Methodist Church in Moundville, Alabama and the church’s day care ministry director were arrested Monday on charges of Failure To Report Child Abuse and Obstruction of Governmental Investigation.
Michael Cobb / Photo courtesy of MPD
Photo via social media @Moundville Methodist Church
Local media reported Tuesday that Pastor Michael A. Cobb, 42, and Breanna Hope Lee, 34, neglected to report allegations of child abuse for approximately a month. Ada Jimerson, 59, was arrested on charges of child abuse and taken to Hale County Jail, and at least one more day care worker is under investigation.
According to Police Chief Toby Banks, the Moundville Police Department (MPD) received credible information from a reliable source April 2 about possible child abuse at the church’s day care ministry. Banks told local ABC affiliate WBMA that he spoke to Lee the next day, who said the church was preparing to fire one of the women allegedly involved in an abuse incident and, in doing so, revealed the church was already aware of a potential abuse incident but had not reported it to police.
Breanna Lee / Photo courtesy of MPD
Alabama is a must-report state where suspicion or knowledge of child abuse must be reported to law enforcement for investigation.
Ada Jimerson / Photo courtesy of MPD
When police met with Cobb and Lee, Banks said both denied being aware of allegations of child abuse, but said they met with all church employees in early March to remind staff that no physical discipline was allowed by staff on children, and the disciplinary measures that would otherwise ensue.
Police left to confer with the Alabama Department of Human Resources, and then returned early Monday, requesting further interviews with church and daycare staff. The pastor surprised officers by requiring a search warrant, prompting the MPD to return to the church with not only a warrant for the records, but arrest warrants for Cobb and Lee. Both were arrested and booked into the Hale County Jail Monday night.
On Tuesday, April 9, Ada Jimerson, 59, was arrested on one Class C felony count of child abuse, accused with hitting children with kitchen spoons and biting children as punishment. If convicted, Jimerson could face between one and 10 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000.
Moundville Methodist Church has not publicly commented about the arrests. The church has indefinitely shut down the daycare as of April 8.
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