Trial Set For Religious Elders Accused Of Not Reporting Sex Abuse

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — A trial date has been set for two elders with Jehovah's Witnesses' congregations in Crystal Lake and Cary who are accused of failing to report the sexual abuse of a child. Authorities say the abuse continued for more than 10 years after Michael Penkava, 72, of Crystal Lake, and Colin Scott, 87, of Cary, learned of the accusations, the Northwest Herald is reporting.

On Wednesday, a McHenry County judge denied a request to ban testimony that surfaced during a confessional, which Penkava and Scott's attorneys argued was privileged communication between the religious leaders and their church members, according to the article. Under Illinois law, clergy members are mandated reporters of child sexual abuse.

Church member Arturo Hernandez-Pedraza, 43, is serving a 45-year prison sentence at Pontiac Correctional Center in connection with the sex abuse.

A bench trial has been set for July 28 for Penkava and Scott. Both face a misdemeanor charge of violating reporting provisions.

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