Victims say Mansfield, Texas church leaders kept sexual misconduct claims quiet | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Marybeth and Amanda Hodson recently filed reports with Mansfield police about Cole’s sexual contact with them, prompting an investigation. They’re talking to attorneys about possible civil litigation and pushing for the pastors to be held accountable for what they didn’t do all those years ago.

“I want the pastors to realize that they are culpable for all the abuse that Ben inflicted on people since they knew that he preyed on children,” said Marybeth, now a 28-year-old nurse living in San Antonio. “... They protected him and they allowed it to continue.”

Two of the pastors, Larry Vincent and Jarrett Downs, are still at the church. The third, Steve Garrick, is now pastor at a different church in Georgetown.

Church elders from Heritage Baptist denied the claims in an email to the Star-Telegram.

Victims say Mansfield, Texas church leaders kept sexual misconduct claims quiet | Fort Worth Star-Telegram