Pastor is charged in assault on girl
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BEDFORD, Pa. -- Authorities say an evangelist has been arrested and charged with assaulting an 11-year-old girl several years ago.
State police in Bedford said Friday that the Rev. Walter Donald Bradshaw, 61, was arrested Tuesday at his home in Lexington, N.C., and was being held at the Davidson County jail in lieu of $150,000 bail pending extradition to Pennsylvania. Police said the 51-year-old mother of the victim was taken into custody at the home Thursday and also was being held at the jail.
Police said Mr. Bradshaw was a traveling evangelist and met the family at a revival four years ago. They said the alleged assault happened between 2007 and 2008 at the Janey Lynn Motel in Bedford.
District Attorney Bill Higgins on Friday called the charges "very disturbing," especially considering Mr. Bradshaw's role as a spiritual leader. The girl's mother is accused of taking her daughter to the motel room and leaving her there with Bradshaw, Mr. Higgins said.
First Published November 13, 2010 6:14 pm
