Key Takeaways
- A civil lawsuit alleges Shepherd’s Fold Counseling Ministry and two affiliated churches failed to protect a child after she disclosed sexual abuse.
- The lawsuit alleges the counselor blamed the child for the abuse instead of reporting the abuse to authorities.
- The perpetrator of the abuse, Brian Timothy Wagner, was convicted in April 2026 of multiple sexual offenses related to his abuse of the plaintiff.
Andreozzi and Foote has filed a civil lawsuit in the Court of Common Pleas of Juniata County on behalf of a Pennsylvania woman against three defendants: Shepherd’s Fold Counseling Ministry, Richfield Life Ministries Church, and Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church. The suit alleges that the organizations failed to protect her after she disclosed sexual abuse during a counseling session as a child.
According to the lawsuit, Shepherd’s Fold Counseling Ministry operated as a sponsored ministry of both Richfield Life Ministries Church and Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church. The complaint alleges the churches exercised oversight and control over the ministry, and that the administration and leadership of each of the churches with the ministry was “inextricably intertwined.”
What Does the Lawsuit Allege?
According to the complaint, the victim was sexually abused from about 2006 through 2009 by a man named Brian Timothy Wagner.
According to the lawsuit, she was approximately 13 years old when Wagner, then approximately 21 years old, brought her to Shepherd’s Fold Counseling Ministry for what was described as “couples counseling,” under the guise that she needed to cope with her mother’s death.
The lawsuit alleges that while at Shepherd’s Counseling, the victim met with the former pastor of Richfield Church and founder of Shepherd’s Counseling, and disclosed Wagner’s sexual abuse.
The suit alleges that he dismissed the abuse and failed to report the abuse to authorities. Instead, he blamed the victim for Wagner’s ongoing abuse, called her a “temptation,” and told her that she was going to hell.
She did not return to Shepherd’s Counseling after this “counseling” session.
Later that summer, Wagner raped the victim.
Brian Timothy Wagner Was Convicted in April 2026
In April 2026, Wagner was convicted of the following crimes, all of which related to his sexual abuse of the victim:
- Statutory sexual assault
- Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse
- Aggravated indecent assault
- Indecent assault
- Corruption of minors
See Juniata County Court of Common Pleas, Docket No. CP-34-CR-0000120-2022.
Lawsuit Asserts Claims of Negligence Against Shepherd’s Fold Counseling Ministry
According to the suit, as if dismissing and shaming the victim for Wagner’s sexual abuse wasn’t bad enough, the Defendants made matters worse and failed to report the abuse to the proper authorities as they were mandated to do.
The complaint alleges that despite having actual knowledge of the victim’s abuse, they took no action.
The lawsuit seeks asserts claims including negligence, gross negligence, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
The Lasting Harm of Sexual Abuse & Religious Gaslighting
Beyond the complaint’s allegation that the defendants violated Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) by failing to report suspected child abuse, the alleged conduct also reflects what many mental health professionals and survivor advocates describe as religious gaslighting.
According to the lawsuit, after the plaintiff disclosed that she was being sexually abused, she was blamed for the abuse, called a “temptation,” and told she was “going to hell,” rather than receiving protection or support.
This type of conduct can be classified as religious gaslighting: the misuse of religious beliefs, teachings, or spiritual authority to manipulate, shame, or silence survivors.
When a religious leader suggests that a child is somehow responsible for the abuse they endured or implies they are spiritually at fault, the harm extends far beyond the abuse itself.
Religious gaslighting may cause victims to struggle with overwhelming guilt and shame, question whether they deserve help, or fear that reporting the abuse will result in rejection by their faith community or even divine punishment. Those feelings can delay disclosure, discourage survivors from seeking help, and make healing significantly more difficult..
Religious leaders and faith-based organizations have a legal and ethical responsibility to respond to disclosures of abuse with appropriate action and protection, not shame, blame, or silence.
Our Commitment to Survivors
When religious institutions fail to protect children or respond appropriately to reports of abuse, the consequences can be devastating.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of sexual abuse nationwide, including those harmed within churches, religious organizations, and faith-based counseling programs.
Our team uses a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach in every case, ensuring that those who reach out feel heard, supported, and empowered as they explore their options.
We are here to listen, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal rights.
All consultations are free and completely confidential.
Contact us today.
Images sources: Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church, via Facebook. Convicted predator Brian Wagner, via Facebook.
