Letter dated Jan 16, 1998 Congregation of Fremont, CA Jehovah's Witnesses recommends confessed pedephile Jonathan Kendrick to another congregation with no warning that he has been molesting children.
Kendrick confessed to his church in 1993 to molesting his 3-year-old stepdaughter as she slept. Instead of calling the police, the elders, Michael Clarke and Gary Abrahamson, wrote to the Watchtower for guidance. Two weeks later, a letter from the Watchtower advised the elders that Kendrick's conduct constituted a "minor uncleanness" and that he could remain a member of the congregation.
The Watchtower determined that Kendrick's crime didn't warrant police involvement, disfellowshipping or a warning to the congregation. Because the incident was known outside of the immediate family, it said Kendrick should lose his title of ministerial servant, which meant that he could no longer pass out Watchtower literature at the Kingdom Hall or turn on the microphone at the start of meetings.
The elders have testified that they watched Kendrick closely and told him not to be alone with children, but he was allowed to continue preaching the Bible door to door.
Kendrick was forced to plead guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery after his stepdaughter disclosed the abuse during a hospital visit. He was sentenced to probation, but no jail time. After he separated from the girl's mother, he moved to the city of Oakley and joined the JW congregation there. The Fremont elders not only didn't warn the Oakley congregation about his past, they wrote this letter that actually seemed to suggest he'd be a good fit to lead "young ones" in the congregation: "You will find him to be a fine individual, kind, loving, and appreciates the peace and refreshment of the Christian Brotherhood. He is a very interesting individual who has taken the lead with some young ones in the congregation and helped them from veering off course."
Kendrick married a woman in Oakley with adult children; one of them later testified that he found child pornography on Kendrick's computer, and learned that Kendrick had molested his eight-year-old daughter. Kendrick testified in a deposition that he "slit his wrists" after the molestation was discovered and spent three days in the hospital. He eventually pleaded guilty to "committing a lewd act" on a minor child and spent eight months in jail.
Years later, yet another victim came to light: Candace Conti, who grew up in the Fremont congregation, says that Kendrick abused her too, when she was nine and 10 years old. She was frequently left alone with him during witnessing trips to knock on doors; she says that during that time, he would take her to his house and abuse her.
Conti sued the Jehovah's Witnesses in 2012 for failing to protect her from Kendrick, alleging that the church leadership's policy of concealing child abuse allegations made it possible for him to abuse her. The jury agreed, awarding her $28 million in damages. Jim McCabe, a Jehovah's Witness attorney, told the New York Times at the time that they would appeal the decision. Kendrick remains an active member of the Oakley congregation. The Watchtower Society has argued in several lawsuits that the way they choose to deal with child abuse is protected under the First Amendment.
Letter dated Jan 16, 1998 Congregation of Fremont, CA Jehovah's Witnesses recommends confessed pedephile Jonathan Kendrick to another congregation with no warning that he has been molesting children.
Kendrick confessed to his church in 1993 to molesting his 3-year-old stepdaughter as she slept. Instead of calling the police, the elders, Michael Clarke and Gary Abrahamson, wrote to the Watchtower for guidance. Two weeks later, a letter from the Watchtower advised the elders that Kendrick's conduct constituted a "minor uncleanness" and that he could remain a member of the congregation.
The Watchtower determined that Kendrick's crime didn't warrant police involvement, disfellowshipping or a warning to the congregation. Because the incident was known outside of the immediate family, it said Kendrick should lose his title of ministerial servant, which meant that he could no longer pass out Watchtower literature at the Kingdom Hall or turn on the microphone at the start of meetings.
The elders have testified that they watched Kendrick closely and told him not to be alone with children, but he was allowed to continue preaching the Bible door to door.
Kendrick was forced to plead guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery after his stepdaughter disclosed the abuse during a hospital visit. He was sentenced to probation, but no jail time. After he separated from the girl's mother, he moved to the city of Oakley and joined the JW congregation there. The Fremont elders not only didn't warn the Oakley congregation about his past, they wrote this letter that actually seemed to suggest he'd be a good fit to lead "young ones" in the congregation: "You will find him to be a fine individual, kind, loving, and appreciates the peace and refreshment of the Christian Brotherhood. He is a very interesting individual who has taken the lead with some young ones in the congregation and helped them from veering off course."
Kendrick married a woman in Oakley with adult children; one of them later testified that he found child pornography on Kendrick's computer, and learned that Kendrick had molested his eight-year-old daughter. Kendrick testified in a deposition that he "slit his wrists" after the molestation was discovered and spent three days in the hospital. He eventually pleaded guilty to "committing a lewd act" on a minor child and spent eight months in jail.
Years later, yet another victim came to light: Candace Conti, who grew up in the Fremont congregation, says that Kendrick abused her too, when she was nine and 10 years old. She was frequently left alone with him during witnessing trips to knock on doors; she says that during that time, he would take her to his house and abuse her.
Conti sued the Jehovah's Witnesses in 2012 for failing to protect her from Kendrick, alleging that the church leadership's policy of concealing child abuse allegations made it possible for him to abuse her. The jury agreed, awarding her $28 million in damages. Jim McCabe, a Jehovah's Witness attorney, told the New York Times at the time that they would appeal the decision. Kendrick remains an active member of the Oakley congregation. The Watchtower Society has argued in several lawsuits that the way they choose to deal with child abuse is protected under the First Amendment.
Letter dated Jan 16, 1998 Congregation of Fremont, CA Jehovah's Witnesses recommends confessed pedephile Jonathan Kendrick to another congregation with no warning that he has been molesting children.
Kendrick confessed to his church in 1993 to molesting his 3-year-old stepdaughter as she slept. Instead of calling the police, the elders, Michael Clarke and Gary Abrahamson, wrote to the Watchtower for guidance. Two weeks later, a letter from the Watchtower advised the elders that Kendrick's conduct constituted a "minor uncleanness" and that he could remain a member of the congregation.
The Watchtower determined that Kendrick's crime didn't warrant police involvement, disfellowshipping or a warning to the congregation. Because the incident was known outside of the immediate family, it said Kendrick should lose his title of ministerial servant, which meant that he could no longer pass out Watchtower literature at the Kingdom Hall or turn on the microphone at the start of meetings.
The elders have testified that they watched Kendrick closely and told him not to be alone with children, but he was allowed to continue preaching the Bible door to door.
Kendrick was forced to plead guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery after his stepdaughter disclosed the abuse during a hospital visit. He was sentenced to probation, but no jail time. After he separated from the girl's mother, he moved to the city of Oakley and joined the JW congregation there. The Fremont elders not only didn't warn the Oakley congregation about his past, they wrote this letter that actually seemed to suggest he'd be a good fit to lead "young ones" in the congregation: "You will find him to be a fine individual, kind, loving, and appreciates the peace and refreshment of the Christian Brotherhood. He is a very interesting individual who has taken the lead with some young ones in the congregation and helped them from veering off course."
Kendrick married a woman in Oakley with adult children; one of them later testified that he found child pornography on Kendrick's computer, and learned that Kendrick had molested his eight-year-old daughter. Kendrick testified in a deposition that he "slit his wrists" after the molestation was discovered and spent three days in the hospital. He eventually pleaded guilty to "committing a lewd act" on a minor child and spent eight months in jail.
Years later, yet another victim came to light: Candace Conti, who grew up in the Fremont congregation, says that Kendrick abused her too, when she was nine and 10 years old. She was frequently left alone with him during witnessing trips to knock on doors; she says that during that time, he would take her to his house and abuse her.
Conti sued the Jehovah's Witnesses in 2012 for failing to protect her from Kendrick, alleging that the church leadership's policy of concealing child abuse allegations made it possible for him to abuse her. The jury agreed, awarding her $28 million in damages. Jim McCabe, a Jehovah's Witness attorney, told the New York Times at the time that they would appeal the decision. Kendrick remains an active member of the Oakley congregation. The Watchtower Society has argued in several lawsuits that the way they choose to deal with child abuse is protected under the First Amendment.
Court document showing letter recommending a California JW
pedophile to another California congregation. The state is swarming
with such pedophiles, and the parents deserve to know so as to
protect the children. The crisis is still going on.
NORTH CONGREGATION of FREMONT
1660 Peralta Goulevard,Fremont, CA 94536
1698
OAKLEY CONGREGATION C OS
c/o ERIC SMOTHERS -
4328 - Rock Island Drive ‘
Antioch, CA 94509
Re: Jonathan Kendrick
Dear Brothers,
Enclosed are the Publisher Cards of Brother Jonathan Kendrick, and our comments in
his regars that we hope will enable you to know him better
Brother Kendiick is a fine Brother wha con easily offer a ‘positive spin’ to &
Congregation, He has served the North Congregation as Literature Servant in the somewhat
recent past, has done wel in the TMS and presenting the “Good News" in the Field Ministry.
However, our Brother has had a ‘etormy’ marriage which ended im divorce, during which
time @ Judiciel Committee saw the need to place restrictions on him for outbursts of anger His,
‘anger was not unprovoked however, in that, his former wife (now inactive}, never allowed him to
‘assume the scriptural role af “family head". She resisted him in allowing her teenage daughter
{from a previous menage). to date a Worldly’ individual vsth whom she was sexually active
[ever in thelr own residence when Jonathan was not present], resulling in 2 child out of wedlock
So Brother Kendtlck has had much frustration to deal with, but the Committee agreed that that
idnit give him license to vent his anger in violent demonstration, which in al Yeast one case,
involved the Fremont Police Depertment
Brother Kendrick has been away fram 000d, regular sprtual association for some months
now. As.a result, | fear the worlds atfudes have creeped in on him 2 litle more, Please help him
put these side, Jonathan may seem a litle ‘gruff’ on the autside, but you will find with some
‘attention he will respond well fo your efforts. He wants and appreciates streng, pointed counsel
‘on the TMS as well as personally to help him grow and progress.
The skills of Brother Kendrick very from violin playing and topiary to wood-working and
‘welding(trade). He is a very interesting individual who has taken the lead with some young ones
inthe congregation and helped them from ‘vearying aff course
Jonathan is ne langer or restriction; you wil find him to be a fine individual, kind, foving,
and appreciates the peace and refreshment of the Christian Brotherhood. Please convey our Well
‘nishes and warm love to him, and al those loyally serving JAH in the Brentwood Congregation
Your Brother,
tiny datmeste
Larry Lamesdin