Settlement apparently reached in Chesapeake sexual abuse civil case

CHARLESTON – An apparent settlement has been reached in the sexual abuse civil case brought by a Hernshaw couple against a Chesapeake Pentecostal church, and one of its alleged youth pastors.

On April 29, a mediation hearing was held in the case of James and Debbie Green v. Chesapeake Apostolic Church, the Upper Kanawha Valley Christian School and Timothy C. Edmonds. The session occurred at the law offices of Jackson Kelly, which is representing the church and the school, with Charleston attorney Robert Allen serving as mediator.

According to their suit, the Greens allege that Edmonds sexually abused their then-16-year old daughter in 2006. The alleged abuse occurred "both at Chesapeake Apostolic Church building proper and at a house located at 11937 MacCorkle Ave."

The house, records show, is owned by church pastor K.D. Priddy. Edmonds is married to the Priddy's daughter, Karin.

According to court records, the alleged acts took place prior to May 10, 2006, while the girl was a student at UKVCS, and Edmonds an assistant youth pastor. However, attorneys for both the church and Edmonds deny he served in such a capacity.

Though no final order is in the court file, Henry Wood, the Green's attorney, did confirm the case was settled. However, he could not disclose any of the details.

"I can tell you we settled the case, but I can't discuss the terms of the settlement because it's confidential," Wood said.

Attempts to reach CAC and UKVCS' attorney Cheryl Ledbetter, and Edmonds' attorney George Joseph were unsuccessful as they did not return repeated telephone calls.

Kanawha Circuit Court, Case No. 07-C-814