How Could You? Hall of Shame-Joseph Lee Niemeyer, Jr. UPDATED
This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.
From Independence, Kentucky, Youth Pastor and foster parent Joseph Lee Niemeyer, Jr.,54,”was arrested on charges of sexual abuse, rape and sodomy, according to the church’s senior pastor and Independence police.”
“Joseph Lee Niemeyer Jr., 54, was booked into jail Monday morning.
Tim Cochran, senior pastor at New Banklick Baptist Church in Walton, Kentucky, said Niemeyer confessed Sunday evening to inappropriately touching a girl in his home.
All of the charges listed on the Kenton County Jail website pertain to a victim under 12 years of age.
Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders said detectives were searching to see if any other children had been abused.
“We’re not going to stop the investigation until we’ve made sure that we’ve uncovered any other victims that are out there, but right now all the charges pertain to one victim,” Sanders said.
He called those who target children under 12 “especially reprehensible.”
“They do permanent damage to these poor children and it’s something that will stick with them for their entire lives,” Sanders said.
New Banklick Baptist’s website lists Niemeyer and his wife as the church’s youth ministry leaders.
Cochran, who described himself as a “good friend” of the suspect, said Sunday night was the first time he’d heard of the allegations.
“All in shock,” Cochran told WCPO by telephone Wednesday night. “Never would have guessed.”
Cochran said he drove Niemeyer to turn himself in to police.
It’s unknown if the girl had any connection to the church, Cochran said. He said the church conducts thorough background screenings, and none of the activities are alleged to have occurred on church property.
Also Helped With Middle School Prayer Group
Niemeyer volunteered with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club at Twenhofel Middle School in Independence, Kentucky, according to Kenton County Schools spokeswoman Jess Dykes.
Dykes said the district, like the church, did a background check on Niemeyer, and emphasized he was never allowed to be alone with the children — it’s district policy that at least two adults be present at all times, she said.
Dykes said the club had about a dozen sixth-, seventh- and eight-grade students; they met Wednesday before school, read scripture and prayed, she said.
“We are definitely following up with those students and any concerns they might have, because they’ve seen it on the news and they know him,” Dykes said.
Niemeyer was not in charge of the group, Dykes said, just a volunteer helper. There have been no allegations of wrongdoing on school property, she said.
Niemeyer remained at the Kenton County Jail on Wednesday night, according to the jail website.
What Parents Can Do
Heidi Malott, manager of the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, said the case is a reminder to parents to ask tough questions about anyone caring for their children.
“Our people go through background checks and those kinds of securities in order to make sure that we’re not hiring or using staff or volunteers that might have a background of child abuse,” Malott said.
She recommended that parents open dialog with their children and let them know it’s OK if a child doesn’t feel comfortable around an adult.”
Youth ministry leader confessed to touching girl, senior pastor says [WCPO 2/3/16 by Tom McKee, Timyka Artist]
“”He’s been charged with a variety of counts of rape first degree, sodomy first degree, and sexual abuse in the first degree,” said Rob Sanders, Kenton Co. Commonwealth Attorney. “All of those in the first degree because they involve a child under the age of 12-years-old.”
Independence police said the victim was a foster child and the abuse went on for three years. The pastor of New Banklick Baptist told Local 12 he was shocked. He respected and trusted Joseph Niemeyer and his wife, who worked along side him with the church’s youth.
The senior pastor at New Banklick Baptist Church said Niemeyer came to him and confessed he’d inappropriately touched a young girl. The pastor immediately took him to Independence police. At the police station, Niemeyer admitted touching the girl and was charged with sexual abuse. When the girl was interviewed at Children’s Hospital, she described a pattern of rape and sodomy. Niemeyer was then charged for those crimes.
“He faces up to life in prison on the rape and sodomy charges and up to 10 years, 5 to 10 years, on the sexual abuse charges.”
“Niemeyer is being held on a $100,000 cash bond. He will be in court Tuesday, Feb. 9.”
Youth pastor arrested; foster child described 3 years of abuse [Local 12 2/4/16 by Joe Webb]
REFORM Puzzle Piece
Update: “A church youth leader arrested Tuesday in connection with the rape of a minor girl was also a licensed foster parent, officials confirmed Friday.
Joseph Niemeyer, 54, worked with youth at the New Banklick Baptist Church in Walton. He was also a resource for Benchmark Family Services, a foster care service, according to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
A statement from the agency said it was fully cooperating with the investigation.
“We did all required criminal background checks as well as the required child abuse and neglect checks for the foster home,” the statement said. “Our agency has completed all requirements associated with the foster home’s initial certification and annual re-certification. We are deeply saddened by this tragic news.”
Benchmark Family Service and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services have not disclosed whether Niemeyer was taking care of any foster children at the time of his arrest.
Niemeyer turned himself in to the Independence Police Department, where he was arrested Monday. He is facing first-degree sexual abuse, rape and sodomy charges, all against a girl younger than 12, police said.
Capt. Mike Thatcher could not confirm whether there are multiple victims, and said the investigation into the abuse is ongoing. He said several other possible witnesses and possible victims need to be interviewed.
Niemeyer and his wife, Becky, are listed as youth ministers on the church’s website, but pastor Tim Cochran said Becky Niemeyer actually leads the youth program.
Joseph Niemeyer will not be allowed to continue leading youth services at the church if he is released from jail, Cochran said.
Cochran has known Joseph Niemeyer for five years and considered him a friend. The two traveled to church retreats and conferences together. He was sickened at the news of Niemeyer’s arrest.
“Our church, we are all just sick about what has happened,” Cochran said. “He was a good friend of mine. Never in a million years would I have thought he would do anything like this.”
Kenton County Prosecutor Rob Sanders said investigators would be checking on any children Niemeyer had contact with.
Sanders went on to explain “education and reporting methods have improved.” Programs, including those in schools, are teaching kids about what is proper contact and what isn’t. This has resulted in more cases involving sexual abuse, he said.
“I see cases like this every week in my office,” Sanders said.
Niemeyer is being held at the Kenton County Detention Center on a $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.”
Man arrested in rape was foster parent, youth leader [Cincinnati.com 2/5/16 by Rebecca Butts and Cameron Knight,]
Update 2:“A former northern Kentucky pastor will spend the next 20 years behind bars after prosecutors say he raped a child he was caring for.
Joseph Niemeyer, 56, appeared in court Tuesday for sentencing on three counts of felony sexual abuse, rape, and sodomy.
“When she went into the defendants custody. She went into his custody because she was looking for a safe home to live in. In the 4 years she was in his custody. He sodomized her, raped her and sexual abused her. This was a child that was 5-years-old.” said Lawrence Hilton, Assistant Commonwealth Attorney.
Niemeyer pleaded guilty on Nov. 20 to four counts of first-degree sexual abuse and one count first-degree sodomy against the girl.
Under the plea agreement, Niemeyer will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life and must serve 17 years before being parole eligible, according to Kenton County Prosecutor Rob Sanders.
Niemeyer worked with youth at the Banklick Baptist Church in Walton until he was arrested in February 2016. He also volunteered at Twenhofel Middle School.
Police say they were alerted to the abuse after Niemeyer came forward last year and reported himself to officers.”
Former youth pastor sentenced for child sexual abuse charges
[Fox 19 1/10/18 by ]
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