Lawsuit: Church worker in toddler sex assault hurt 13 others
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina church volunteer charged with sexually assaulting a 3-year-old boy is now being accused of sexually assaulting at least 13 other children.
Jacop Hazlett is accused of sexually assaulting 14 kids while volunteering at NewSpring Church in Charleston. Dorchester Co. Detention Center
Jacop Hazlett is accused of sexually assaulting 14 kids while volunteering at NewSpring Church in Charleston. Dorchester Co. Detention Center
The Post and Courier reports on a lawsuit filed Wednesday against 28-year-old Jacop Robert Lee Hazlett and the North Charleston NewSpring Church.
Hazlett supervised the care of 3- to 5-year-olds at the church. His arrest affidavit says a security camera recording showed him abusing a boy in a bathroom on Sunday.
The lawsuit says a subsequent review of 90 days of stored images showed Hazlett through the open bathroom door abusing a total of 14 children.
Attorney Joshua E. Slavin says his lawsuit is meant to expose the church’s lack of oversight.
Communications Director Suzanne Swift has said Hazlett passed a criminal background check and the church acted swiftly on Monday after learning of the allegations.
No additional charges were filed as of Thursday afternoon as the investigation continues.
