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Married youth pastor charged with impregnating 15-year-old
NEW PARIS, Pa. – A married Pennsylvania youth pastor has been fired and jailed over charges he impregnated a 15-year-old girl.
State police say the wife of 35-year-old Wesley Blackburn reported him last week to the pastor of Faith Brethren Bible Church in Bedford County.
The Rev. James Espenshade and the church’s deacons fired Blackburn as youth pastor and called police.
Police say he’s acknowledged fathering the teen’s child. They say he told his wife about the relationship and asked for a divorce, which prompted her to contact the church’s pastor.
Blackburn remained in the Bedford County jail Friday unable to post bond on one count of corruption of minors and 84 counts each of statutory sexual assault and indecent assault.
Online court records don’t list an attorney for Blackburn.
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