Rhett Hintze - Allegations Against Church Leader in Harrisburg, PA

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the religious community in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Rhett Hintze, a stake president overseeing seven congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, faces serious legal repercussions for his alleged failure to report child sexual abuse.

Legal Obligations of Religious Leaders

Rhett Hintze, 50, a prominent lobbyist and religious leader, has been charged with a third-degree felony for not reporting child sexual abuse allegations against Shawn Cory Gooden, a bishop within the same church. Gooden, who also held a leadership role in the Lebanon County ward, was previously charged with sexual assault of a minor in separate incidents in Virginia in 2022 and in Pennsylvania in 2023. The abuse reportedly occurred between 1997 and 2000, with victims ranging from 8 to 12 years old.

Pennsylvania State Police have disclosed that Hintze was aware of the allegations against Gooden as early as October 2020. Despite this knowledge and his position as a mandated reporter under Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law, Hintze allegedly did not report the abuse to the proper authorities.

The Church's Response to the Charges

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through Hintze's attorney, has issued a statement asserting their commitment to preventing abuse and supporting lawful efforts to address such incidents. They have described the charges against Hintze as misguided and have expressed their intention to defend him vigorously.

The Impact of the Jerry Sandusky Scandal

The charges against Hintze come in the wake of legislative changes to Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law, which were made following the Jerry Sandusky scandal at Penn State. These changes expanded the categories of mandated reporters and increased the penalties for failing to report allegations of child abuse.

The Role of Mandated Reporters

As a stake president, Hintze's role included counseling other church officials, which placed him within the scope of mandated reporters—individuals who are required to report suspected child abuse if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of such abuse. This category includes various professionals, such as social workers and school employees.

The Case's Broader Implications

This case underscores the critical role that mandated reporters play in protecting children and the potential legal consequences for those who fail to fulfill this duty. It also highlights the ongoing debate regarding the responsibilities of religious institutions in reporting abuse and the balance between confidentiality and the protection of vulnerable individuals.

As the legal proceedings against Hintze move forward, the community awaits further developments, and the case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in safeguarding children from abuse.

Source:

https://legalherald.com/stake-president-of-7-lds-churches-rhett-hintze-charged-with-failure-to-report-child-abuse-by-bishop-shawn-cory-gooden/