EspañolFormer Saddleback Youth Pastor Ruven Meulenberg Charged With Allegedly Molesting Four Teenage Boys As Police Search For Additional Victims
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA (February 22, 2024) – A former Orange County youth pastor identified as Ruven Meulenberg has been charged with allegedly molesting four teenage boys.
The youth pastor previously worked at the popular Saddleback Church in Lake Forest. In May 2017, Ruven Meulenberg was arrested for allegedly engaging in lewd conduct with two 14-year-old twin boys.
The incidents allegedly took place between May 2016 and May 2017 in a movie theater and in the defendant’s car. He was convicted of molestation in 2018 before that conviction was overturned.
The judge in that case ruled one of the jurors engaged in misconduct by sharing certain information with other jurors. A new trial is being held based on the same charges.
While awaiting trial, a third victim came forward and said that Ruven Meulenberg molested him on one or more occasions while they were hanging out privately. A fourth victim has also come forward and said that he was inappropriately touched by the defendant from June 2017 to June 2018.
Investigators believe that there may be additional victims. A full investigation into the allegations of the former Saddleback youth pastor remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Orange County Child Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse within religious organizations is sadly far more common than many may realize. According to NBC Bay Area, “An NBC Bay Area analysis of nearly 700 lawsuits filed against Catholic institutions across Northern California over the past three years suggests the church’s child sexual abuse scandal in the region is significantly worse than the public previously knew.” Child sexual abuse has also taken place in protestant organizations, though it has been significantly harder to study and prosecute. There are a number of factors that increase the likelihood that child sexual abuse will take place within any organization.
- Children are taught to respect the authority of adults and religious figures.
- Abuse is more likely to take place when children are allowed to be isolated with adults.
- Children are more likely to be abused when they come from poor or under-served communities.
- Sexual abuse is more likely to take place when church leaders do not perform background checks on all employees and volunteers.
It is illegal for any adult to have any inappropriate relationship with a minor child. Under California Penal Code 288(a), “a person who willfully and lewdly commits any lewd or lascivious act, including any of the acts constituting other crimes provided for in Part 1, upon or with the body, or any part or member thereof, of a child who is under the age of 14 years, with the intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust, passions, or sexual desires of that person or the child, is guilty of a felony.” Any person that commits sexual abuse or battery could also face civil liability.
A religious organization could potentially be liable for the sexual abuse of a child within their organization. All organizations and corporations have a legal responsibility to protect the public from reasonably foreseeable sources of harm. This includes protecting children from sexual abuse. If a church knew (or should have known) that a certain religious leader was a danger to children and failed to act, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are many ways that a church may have become aware of sexual misconduct involving one of their leaders.
- Children may speak up about their experiences to church leaders.
- The parents of children may have informed church leaders about misconduct.
- A church may have failed to perform a background check on an individual which would have revealed convictions for sexual abuse.
When someone is arrested for child sexual abuse, there were typically many red flags that were missed. It is common for church leaders to know or at least suspect what is going on. But in far too many situations, those in positions of power choose to remain quiet out of fear of what may happen to them within the organization. Victims of sexual abuse do have rights under California law. Any person that is sexually abused by a religious leader may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim. A sexual abuse attorney can examine all of the unique facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Orange County Sexual Abuse
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP extend our best wishes to all of the children and families who may have been impacted by the actions of Ruven Meulenberg. There needs to be a thorough investigation into all of the allegations that have been made. It is our sincere hope that the full scope of what went on is properly understood and that justice is served.
Have you or someone that you care about been the victim of sexual abuse at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest? You may have legal recourse. Our team of sexual abuse attorneys are here for you. We’ve spent decades fighting on behalf of abuse victims and during that time have achieved some of the highest verdicts and settlements for sexual abuse in California history. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
