MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Police have confirmed a Montgomery man has
been arrested on a charge relating to sex abuse of a child under the age
of 12.
According to the Montgomery Police Department,
38-year-old Andrew Bartels was arrested on October 26 and charged with
one count of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12.
Court
documents show Bartels was placed into the Montgomery County Detention
Facility on a $15,000. Records show he posted bond on October 27.
Bartels is a member of the congregation at Frazer United Methodist Church. Frazer issued this statement:
"Frazer
Memorial United Methodist Church was deeply saddened to be made aware
this week by the Montgomery Police that a member of our congregation had
been arrested on charges of child molestation. This tragedy is made
even deeper by the possibility that the alleged victim or victims may
have been the children of other Frazer families whom the accused person
knew through the church.
Frazer is cooperating in
every way we can with the authorities in their ongoing investigation. We
pray that they will be successful in their mission to uncover the truth
and pursue justice, even as we strive to continue our mission to share
the healing love of Christ with everyone affected by this difficult
situation."
Documents on the Frazer website list Bartels as the leader of the "Samurai Love Tank" Sunday School class for members in their 20's and 30's.
Troy University Montgomery confirms Bartels was employed as the Campus Web Coordinator until October 29th, just three days after he was arrested while on the job.
Troy
Montgomery says all of Bartels' computers have been made available to
the Montgomery Police Department and the university is cooperating with
the investigation.
Police say this is an ongoing investigation - no additional information is available for public release at this time.
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