HiddenMysteries: Christianity Today: Pastor charged with child rape

FERNDALE, Wash. -- A pastor here has been charged with raping children at a daycare center that he ran with his wife years ago.

Rev. Patrick Conway, who now lives in Granite Falls, was arrested on charges of child rape and child molestation. He is accused of sexually assaulting two young girls on numerous occasions.

The alleged crimes are said to have taken place years ago, but the victims have only recently come forward, confiding in a school counselor about the abuse they say they suffered.

Up until a few years ago, Conway and his wife ran a day care out of their house in Ferndale. Investigators believe Conway molested the girls at the Ferndale house. The couple has since moved to Granite Falls, but their former neighbor says the allegations are hard to believe.

"Nice people. I mean, there was never any problem with him," said Jason Hayes.

Neighbors say the Conways were constantly around children.

"The wife hardly ever left. She stayed home most of the time," Hayes said. "In fact, he didn't really go. They went to Forks or somewhere down south to see their son or something."

Investigators fear there may be other victims who have yet to come forward.

Conway posted bail and has been released since his arrest. He is due before a Whatcom County judge on Friday.

http://www.komotv.com

Christianity Today: Pastor charged with child rape

Saturday, December 22 2007 @ 07:06 PM CST