May 27, 2005
Church Facing Scrutiny
Prosecutors look for link between accusationsagainst church and fatal beating of woman
The death of Carolyn Clark on Mother's Day weekend in Ashtabula was story enough: Police said her estranged husband beat her head with the stock of a rifle in front of the youngest five of their 13 children. But then talk intensified as news spread about legal papers Carolyn Clark had filed in a custody dispute she won a few days before her death, accusing leaders of the couple's church of sexual and physical abuse against members, including children. Clark said she was trying to get her young children away from the church, which she accused of brainwashing her husband and older children. Now prosecutors are investigating whether the Apostolic Church Body of Jesus Christ of the Newborn Assembly had any role in her death. Social service officials are looking into the abuse allegations. Posted by Editor at May 27, 2005 09:08 AM