Vallejo, California - First Baptist Church Volunteer Jacob Tyler Hilton Accused of Sexually Abusing Multiple Children

First Baptist Church Vallejo Volunteer Charged with Child Sex Abuse

A volunteer at the First Baptist Church in Vallejo has been charged with sexually abusing a child and police say they have identified other victims. 26-year-old Jacob Tyler Hilton was arrested on August 16 and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child.

The Vallejo Police Department is investigating possible abuse of several other children by Hilton. According to the police, all of the victims attended the First Baptist Church and some of the alleged incidents of sexual abuse happened on church property.

Police say that the earliest reported incidents of abuse date back to 2007.

Detectives believe that there still could be other victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information regarding this case has been encouraged to contact Detective Rob Greenberg at 707-648-4280.

Legal Recourse for Church Sex Abuse Victims & Their Families

Attorney contributor Bobby Thompson is a former sex crimes prosecutor who now represent victims of sexual abuse in civil lawsuits against their abusers and negligent third parties. Here are a few thoughts from Brian on the legal rights of church sex abuse victims and their families:

In many cases of sexual abuse, the perpetrator is someone who was trusted and close to their victims. Our Church sexual abuse lawyers regularly see this in cases that involve predators in churches and other religious organizations. When a church clergy member or volunteer is accused of sexually abusing church members, it’s important both to investigate the accused and to ask how the abuse may have been preventable.

In some cases of church sexual abuse, the abuse may have been prevented if not for negligence by the church. For example, the church may be considered negligent if there had been previous complaints of sexual abuse involving the accused but an inadequate response to those complaints.

In cases that involve negligence, survivors of church sexual abuse may have grounds for a lawsuit against the church.

If you or a loved one is a survivor of sexual abuse in a religious organization, you can learn more about your legal rights by speaking with one of our experienced sex abuse victims lawyers in a free consultation.

Sources:

https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2019/08/22/vallejo-first-baptist-church-child-sex-abuse-arrest/

https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Suspect-Arrested-for-Alleged-Sexual-Abuse-of-Child-at-Church-557973261.html