Charges dismissed against Mormon bishop accused of not reporting sex abuse

The prosecutor noted that since he was charged, Moon — who continues to serve as a bishop — has contacted law enforcement to report allegations of abuse brought forward by members of his congregation.

"Based upon his performance now, as well as his willingness to accept responsibility for what he did in the past, we believed it was a good point to end this prosecution," Foote said.

The girl's allegations were turned over to authorities in Kane County, where the assault occurred. The teenage boy was charged in juvenile court with unlawful sexual conduct with a 16- or 17-year-old and entered an admission to the allegation.

Utah law requires anyone who “has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, or who observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances which would reasonably result in abuse or neglect” to report that information immediately to police or to the state Division of Child and Family Services.

Members of the clergy are exempt from the reporting requirement only if they learn about abuse through a confession from the abuser, unless that person grants them consent to disclose the information.

The LDS Church provides training for its lay clergy on how to handle disclosures of abuse, said church spokesman Scott Trotter. It also maintains a hotline that clergy members can call for legal advice.

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