From Deseret News archives:
Missionary faces sex-abuse counts
The 21-year-old missionary, John Baysden of Kingston, N.C., was serving in Roy, which is part of the church's Utah Ogden Mission.
Baysden is currently being held in the Weber County Correctional Facility on $30,000 bail.
Police are still investigating Baysden's activities, which they say include inappropriate and illegal touching of at least two female victims without their consent or knowledge, according to a news release from the Roy Police Department.
Police Chief Greg Whinham said the most recently reviewed evidence adds nothing to the case.
One of the victims, a 15-year-old girl, told police she awoke early Saturday to find Baysden touching her inappropriately.
Whinham said the family contacted police immediately and police began an investigation. Baysden was booked into jail at 4:45 p.m. Saturday.
Baysden and his companion had, over time, developed a relationship of trust with the family and had stayed overnight with the family on more than one occasion, Whinham said. Missionaries are forbidden by the church from sleeping at other homes except in special circumstances.
Baysden will appear before 2nd District Judge Pamela Heffernan Jan. 18 for a preliminary hearing.
Dale Bills, spokesman for the LDS Church, called the allegations heartbreaking for all involved and said the church has long condemned abuse of any kind.
"The church expects the highest moral and ethical standards of its missionaries," he said. "The young man has been released from his mission pending resolution of the matter.
"The church is fully cooperating with civil authorities, and local church leaders are providing counseling and support to the victims and their families."
Bills said he could not comment further on the allegations since charges are still pending.
E-mail: jdougherty@desnews.com
