Local church responds to abuse allegation

[Editor’s note: This article has been updated to clarify that the incident is alleged to have occurred at Christ the King Kids Learning Center.]

NORTH OLMSTED , Ohio (WJW) — A child abuse allegation is now under investigation at a learning center located at a North Olmsted church.

A representative confirmed to FOX 8 News that the allegation is against a now-former employee of CTK Kids Learning Center , located at the same address as Christ the King Vineyard Church , located at 30635 Lorain Road.

Lorain County Children Services notified the center of an “allegation of child mistreatment” on April 23, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by center Director Gabe Moorman. It allegedly happened in the toddler room, Moorman said.

The employee has since been terminated, according to police and the church. It’s not clear when the employee was let go or when the alleged abuse took place.

“The North Olmsted Police Department understands this is a sensitive investigation and are investigating it to the fullest,” North Olmsted Police Department detective Sgt. Matthew Beck wrote in an email to FOX 8 News. “Understand that cases such as this do take time to investigate and once the investigation is complete, it will be presented to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office for possible charges. Based off that, I cannot release the report, or any video(s) involved yet since no charges have been filed.”

Moorman said the center is cooperating with police and county children services agents. Moorman added the center is a “separate entity” from the church, and no church employees are facing abuse allegations.

“We are limited on the amount of information that we can release at this time but be assured that we will continue to update as we are allowed,” Moorman wrote. “CTK Kids Learning Center has lovingly served the children and families of our surrounding communities for 12 years and we firmly denounce any form of mistreatment towards children, prioritizing their safety, well-being and nurturing environment above all else.

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