WTHR |Youth minister accused of fathering child with teen

Youth minister accused of fathering child with teen

Franklin - A church youth minister is behind bars after police say he got a 15-year-old girl pregnant. Franklin police arrested the minister, saying they also learned he had relations with two other underage girls.

Sex crime detectives say youth minister Jonathan Hartman used his position to start sexual relationships with three underage girls. Hartman volunteered at the Salvation Army Church in Greenwood where he met his victims.

"I believe that the victim is pregnant, so I think that compounds the tragedy of this," said Jeff Stanger, Salvation Army development director.

"Through the three years it's been going on and off with all three of them," said Detective Kevin Scheuermann.

One of the girls called Detective Kevin Scheuermann about being pregnant. All three girls met Hartman through church music band. Police say Hartman arranged to be alone with the girls. His parents are paid leaders at the church.

"It's not typically allowed for one adult to be alone; safe from harm would say no, that should not have happened," said Stanger.

Police believe the sexual encounters happened Hartman's home and sometimes at the Salvation Army Church on Market Plaza in Greenwood. Officers caught up with Hartman at his job on Stop 11 Road.

Detective Scheuermann says Hartman cooperated during his arrest and also during questioning. He even talked about how he learned the 15-year-old was pregnant.

"He was actually there when she took the pregnancy test and found out that she was pregnant," said Scheuermann.

Hartman's charges include two counts of child molestation and four counts of sexual misconduct with a minor. Although the Salvation Army sees Hartman's arrest as a black eye to their organization, it's also a wake up call to review policies to keep it from happening again.

"It's devastating," said Stanger.

Hartman is in the Johnson county jail on a $150,000 bond. He declined comment on his arrest and the charges.

This is an ongoing investigation. Although police have at least three victims right now, they have not ruled out more victims coming forward.