By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Three Madison County families have filed a lawsuit against Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntsville, alleging that failures by the church and its child development center allowed a former daycare worker to sexually assault their children.
The complaint, filed Jan. 24 in Madison County Circuit Court, names Cameron White, the church, and Trinity’s child development center as defendants. The families allege that negligent and wanton actions by the church and daycare contributed to harm suffered by three children.
White, 24, was booked into the Madison County Jail on Thursday on one count of sexual abuse of a child under 12. Jail records indicate he has since been charged with a second count of sexual abuse of a child, with bond set at $100,000.
Huntsville Police told News 19 that an incident occurred on the church’s campus and was reported on Tuesday. Trinity United Methodist Church said it became aware of the situation on Wednesday.
“When we became aware of the incident on Wednesday afternoon, we acted immediately, contacted the appropriate authorities, and terminated the employee involved,” a church representative said in a statement to News 19. “We have been cooperating fully with the investigation since that time.”
The church confirmed that White is no longer employed there.
According to the lawsuit, the families claim the church violated its own internal protocols by failing to properly report and document prior incidents or suspicious behavior involving White. The complaint also alleges the daycare failed to notify parents and other interested parties once concerns arose that White posed a potential risk to children.
The lawsuit seeks damages and requests a jury trial.
Church officials said they are unable to share additional details due to the ongoing investigation and the privacy of the children involved.
The case remains under investigation, and no trial date has been set.