*A Baptist pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bertheophilus “Judge“ Maurice Bailey Sr., was arrested after being accused of over a decade of child abuse, following a Facebook post by his daughter, Harmony Bailey Oates.
Bailey faces charges of first-degree rape, child sexual abuse, incest, forcible sodomy, and robbery, according to The Roys Report. A probable cause affidavit revealed texts to his wife in which Bailey allegedly admitted to being a “child molester,” “rapist,” and “unfaithful husband.” His church removed him from his position after the allegations surfaced. Bailey is currently being held on a $500,000 bond.
Harmony’s post reads in part, “As a victim of sexual and mental abuse at the hands of Pastor Bailey for over a decade, I feel compelled to warn others about his predatory behavior. Despite his status as a respected member of the community, it is essential to shed light on his actions to prevent further harm to unsuspecting individuals.”
She added, “For too long, I suffered in silence, afraid of the repercussions of speaking out against someone with such influence and power. However, I have come to realize that silence only perpetuates the cycle of abuse, and it is crucial to break free from the chains of fear and shame.”
Tulsa Pastor Bertheophilus Maurice “Judge” Bailey Sr., who recently resigned as the leader of St. Andrew Christian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was arrested on Sept. 25 and charged with multiple sexual crimes. https://t.co/2vc9o8nTjP
— ChurchLeaders.com (@ChurchLead) September 26, 2024
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According to TooFab, citing court records, the alleged abuse began when Oates was in the sixth grade.
Speaking with NBC affiliate KJRH, Oates said, “He would pray over me at first, but he would do a lot of touching while he was praying.”
According to the court affidavit, police reported that evidence collected during the investigation corroborated Oates’ story.
“The thing is whenever I was a kid I separated my dad from who he was. I had to that’s the only way I survived,” Oates told KJHR. “It feels like I’m not in the shadows anymore,” she said. “Think of a 13-year-old girl confused about who true love is because her dad is saying ‘I’m your boyfriend.'”
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