Rowan Ellsworth (1948 – ) was an LDS church member and schoolteacher in Arizona; allegedly molested a 14-year-old girl at an LDS girls camp in mid-1990; the abuse was reported to a bishop Burgess, who allegedly failed to report to police, but instead encouraged the victim to forgive; sentenced to prison in 1999 for two counts of child sexual abuse; released in 2007.

Rowan Ellsworth was a Mormon church member in Arizona.

Ellsworth molested a 14-year-old girl at an LDS girls camp in mid-1990.

A person familiar with Ellsworth’s case told FLOODLIT that the abuse was reported to a bishop in Winslow, Arizona, with the last name Burgess. Burgess did not notify law enforcement, but instead encouraged the victim to forgive Ellsworth, according to our source, who requested to remain anonymous.

In 1999, Ellsworth was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually molesting two children.

He was released in 2007.

Have any info on this or other Mormon sex abuse cases? Contact us.

As an independent newsroom, FLOODLIT relies on your generous support to make thousands of reports of sexual abuse in the Mormon church available. If you find our work helpful, please consider donating! Thank you so much for helping us shine a light.

Search the FLOODLIT Database

Share this page https://floodlit.org/a/a503/

Mar. 11, 2026: Floodlit needs your help to keep our database live as we prepare to release a report you won't want to miss. Please donate and tell a friend! Thank you so much for your support!

Sources

  1. Young Couples Planning to be Married in November, Arizona Republic, October 5, 1969.
  2. Rowan Joseph Ellsworth, Arizona Corrections criminal record information, January 17, 2023.
  3. nephew of the accused - Anthon Taylor Ellsworth, FLOODLIT, April 1, 2024.

Documents

Have docs or info? Add information

Criminal case documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of a related probable cause affidavit. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.

Civil case documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of a related civil complaint. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for one.

Other documents

Floodlit does not have a copy of any other related documents. Please check back soon or contact us to request that we look for some.

Timeline

  • 1948
    Born

Images/photos

Add information

If someone you know was harmed by the person listed on this page, or if you would like us to add or correct any information, please fill out the form below. We will keep you anonymous. You can also contact us directly.

Other Mormon sex abuse cases

    • Allen Brinkerhoff (1929 – 2019) was a Mormon bishop and stake president and manager of an LDS stake welfare farm in Nevada; arrested in Nevada in 2007 and admitted to sexually abusing two children; was convicted and sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison for battery with intent to commit sexual assault, and 12 to 32 months in prison for sexual abuse of a child; died in 2019
    • View report »
    • Eneudo Petit (1972 – ) was a Mormon bishop in Provo, Utah; while bishop, allegedly sexually abused a child; accused of molesting another child before becoming a bishop; allegedly avoided arrest warrant for child sexual abuse by fleeing the US to Venezuela; arrested in Texas in 2021; convicted in Utah in 2022 and sentenced to prison; as of July 2024, is in the Uintah County Jail
    • View report »
    • Geoffrey Powell (1947 – ) was an LDS bishop in Western Australia; accused of sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl in his ward; the alleged abuse took place while he was a bishop; the victim twice complained to the LDS church, but said she was not believed and was chastised, and it was suggested she should move away if she felt uncomfortable; in 2019, he was sentenced to 12 months in jail
    • View report »