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Three men who served as teachers or volunteers for a religious release program operating within Ohio public schools have each been charged with or pled guilty to sex crimes against children since mid-April 2026, drawing widespread scrutiny to the organization's screening and oversight practices.
William VanSickle, Christopher Riggs, and Kenneth Holycross III are the LifeWise Academy Ohio Teachers and Volunteers Accused of Sex Crimes Against Children who collectively face charges ranging from voyeurism and gross sexual imposition to rape. The three men are from Perry, Muskingum, and Miami counties respectively, and all worked for LifeWise Academy at some point as teachers or volunteers.
VanSickle, of Perry County, was arrested in mid-April and pled guilty to one count of rape and two counts of sexual battery against a minor. LifeWise confirmed he was immediately removed from his position upon learning of his arrest.
Riggs, of Muskingum County, was arrested and pled guilty to voyeurism and gross sexual imposition for alleged forced sexual contact with a 14-year-old between June and September 2023. Riggs served as both a LifeWise teacher and a pastor at the Washington Township Baptist Church.
Holycross III, of Miami County, was arrested by the Miami County Sheriff's Office after multiple reports that he raped children. He faces two counts of rape with additional charges expected. The Sheriff's Office noted he had been employed in positions giving him authority over minors. He was a former LifeWise teacher but was not working there at the time of his arrest.
LifeWise Academy confirmed that all three men worked for or volunteered with the organization at some point and stated that each completed and passed required background screening processes prior to serving. The organization said it received no reports of misconduct involving LifeWise students in connection with any of these matters.
The Secular Education Association — a group formerly known as Parents Against LifeWise — uncovered the connections between the three men and the organization. Co-founder Zach Parrish challenged LifeWise's characterization that the cases are unrelated to the organization.
"It doesn't matter if these kids are in the LifeWise class or not, it's related because these men worked for them and were assaulting children, and they were giving them access to children," Parrish said.
LifeWise Academy is a Bible-based religious release program founded in 2018 that transports children out of public school during school hours to receive religious instruction at offsite locations. Ohio law was amended last year to require public schools to allow students to participate in such programs.
The factual information above was sourced from wosu.org as of June 10, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When multiple employees or volunteers connected to a youth-serving organization are accused of sex crimes against children, families may have significant civil legal options beyond the criminal process. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Ohio sexual abuse attorney John Bey, Esq., about the civil legal avenues that may be available to families in cases involving alleged sexual abuse by individuals affiliated with youth programs.
Paul Amess: John, when employees or volunteers connected to a youth-serving organization are accused of sexual abuse, what civil legal options may be available to families?
John Bey, Esq.: Cases involving alleged sexual abuse by individuals affiliated with youth programs raise serious civil liability questions that extend beyond the individuals accused. Organizations that place adults in positions of access and authority over children take on a duty to thoroughly screen, supervise, and protect those children. When multiple individuals connected to the same organization face allegations of this nature, it raises important questions about whether the organization's safeguards were adequate and whether the institution bears any civil responsibility for the harm that allegedly occurred.
Paul Amess: In cases where an organization states that all required background checks were completed and no prior history was found, does that shield the organization from civil liability?
John Bey, Esq.: A completed background check is one component of an organization's duty of care — but it is not the only one. Civil liability also encompasses questions about ongoing supervision, the adequacy of safety policies, and how the organization responds when concerns are raised. Passing a background check does not automatically eliminate all avenues for civil claims, and families should speak with an experienced attorney to understand how the specific facts of their situation may apply.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a family in Ohio whose child participated in a youth program where a staff member or volunteer has been accused of sexual abuse?
John Bey, Esq.: Please speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. Time limits apply to civil claims in Ohio, and early action always gives families the best position. An initial consultation is completely confidential and free of charge — no family should have to face this alone.
If your child was allegedly sexually abused or harmed by a member, employee, or volunteer of any youth-serving organization in Ohio, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Ohio sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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