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Lawsuit: Mormon Church failed to keep child safe from abuse

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Posted at 1:38 PM, Jan 09, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-09 15:38:42-05

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Another member of the Navajo Nation is suing the Mormon church, alleging he was abused in a now-defunct program that sent children into foster care.

Unlike similar lawsuits, the complaint filed Tuesday in tribal court doesn't seek policy changes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It seeks unspecified monetary damages for decades of emotional harm.

David Jordan is representing the man identified as LB in court documents.

Jordan says LB was sexually abused three times by a church bishop who lived near his foster family in Utah in the 1980s. Jordan says LB reported the abuse but his foster family accused him of lying.

The church's media representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment but have said the church works to prevent abuse.