Details
Welcome to our database and map of Mormon sex abuse cases. Donate to our project and help us cover research costs!

Case summary
Add info | Back to top09/01/05 Methuen,
Massachusetts
LDS Kevin Curlew sexually “assaulted a young boy at the Mormon Church in Methuen,
Massachusetts. A lawsuit was brought against the church.”
“The complaint alleges that the Church, located at 39 Hill Avenue, permitted a man with a
criminal record including prior acts of sexual abuse to act as the Church’s babysitter. Kevin
Curlew was charged and convicted in the early 1980s in Maine of sexual assault on a child
and served time in prison.” The Complaint further alleges that after the mother notified
Church officials of the abuse, the officials, rather than immediately reporting the incident to
the authorities as required by Massachusetts Law, attempted to silence the mother in order
to avoid bad publicity. In order to protect the boy from further harm, the suit has been filed
under the name John Doe.”
“The boy’s mother, whose name is also kept confidential in order to protect her son’s
identity, stated, “1 brought this action only after it became came clear that the Church’s
concern was not with my son’s welfare, but with protecting themselves from bad publicity.”
“A convert to Mormonism twenty years ago, the boy’s mother left the Church after reporting
the abuse to Church officials in the fall of 2005.”
“1 was horrified that after 1 told the Church officials about the abuse, they still allowed the
perpetrator free reign at the Church, and my son was terrified.” The boy suffers from post
traumatic stress disorder and is in therapy to help deal with the trauma.” Curlew was
sentenced to 9-10 years in prison.
CURLEW-Kevin Curlew.pdf
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/05/14/idUS197505+14-May-2008+PRN20080514
Mother of Sexually Abused Child Brings Suit Against Mormon Church PR Newswire
Association/May 14, 2008
Support FLOODLIT.org
Donate to help FLOODLIT cover our research expenses, including obtaining court records and police documents.
LDS/Mormon church membership history
Add info | Back to topLDS mission information
The accused did not serve a full-time LDS mission.
LDS temple marriage information
FLOODLIT is not aware whether the accused was married in a Mormon temple.
Alleged victim(s)
Add info | Back to top- Number of alleged victim(s) - note if approximate:
- Average age of alleged victim(s) at time of alleged crime(s):
LDS church response(s)
Add info | Back to top- Alleged failure to report by local LDS leaders? no
- Alleged misconduct by local LDS leaders? no
- Alleged misconduct by global LDS leaders? no
FLOODLIT is not aware whether the Mormon church paid any settlement amounts related to this case.