nature of the questions asked, and the depth to which the Elders probed for information.” Father told the elders that he was thinking of requesting a restraining order against Simental. The elders told Father that he did not need to speak to the police, “and that to do so would bring reproach on the congregation.” In two criminal cases, Simental was found guilty of molesting Doe 1, Doe 2, and J.W. J.W.’s first cause of action was for negligence. J.W. asserted Watchtower had a duty to protect J.W., who was entrusted to Watchtower’s care by J.W.’s parents. J.W. asserted Watchtower had a duty to control Simental and prevent him from sexually molesting children. J.W. alleged that Watchtower was prior to the sexual abuse “aware, of [J.W.] herein, of [Simental’s] dangerous and exploitive propensities. [Watchtower was] also aware that [it] had the ability to place restrictions on [Simental’s] access to children, service and preaching activities, give warnings to the congregation, and otherwise control Simental’s conduct.” Further, J.W. alleged Watchtower had a duty to investigate Simental and to not employ Simental as a ministerial servant or elder. J.W. asserted Watchtower knew Simental likely to harm others in light of the work entrusted to him.” J.W. “was alleged, Watchtower or reasonably should have known of [Simental’s] dangerous “knew and exploitive propensities and/or that [Simental] was an unfit agent. It was foreseeable that if [Watchtower] did not adequately exercise or provide the duty of care owed to children in their care, including but not limited to [J.W.], the children entrusted to [Watchtower’s] care would be vulnerable to sexual abuse by [Simental].”
nature of the questions asked, and the depth to which the Elders probed for information.” Father told the elders that he was thinking of requesting a restraining order against Simental. The elders told Father that he did not need to speak to the police, “and that to do so would bring reproach on the congregation.” In two criminal cases, Simental was found guilty of molesting Doe 1, Doe 2, and J.W. J.W.’s first cause of action was for negligence. J.W. asserted Watchtower had a duty to protect J.W., who was entrusted to Watchtower’s care by J.W.’s parents. J.W. asserted Watchtower had a duty to control Simental and prevent him from sexually molesting children. J.W. alleged that Watchtower was “aware, prior to the sexual abuse of [J.W.] herein, of [Simental’s] dangerous and exploitive propensities. [Watchtower was] also aware that [it] had the ability to place restrictions on [Simental’s] access to children, service and preaching activities, give warnings to the congregation, and otherwise control Simental’s conduct.” Further, J.W. alleged Watchtower had a duty to investigate Simental and to not employ Simental as a ministerial servant or elder. J.W. asserted Watchtower knew Simental “was likely to harm others in light of the work entrusted to him.” J.W. alleged, Watchtower “knew or reasonably should have known of [Simental’s] dangerous and exploitive propensities and/or that [Simental] was an unfit agent. It was foreseeable that if [Watchtower] did not adequately exercise or provide the duty of care owed to children in their care, including but not limited to [J.W.], the children entrusted to [Watchtower’s] care would be vulnerable to sexual abuse by [Simental].”
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