For nearly two hours late Wednesday afternoon, special prosecutor Blake Chambers and defense attorneys Bill Deatherage and David Bundrick volleyed question after question at William Foster Campbell — a former First United Methodist Church associate pastor under its former leader Paige Williams and alongside its former daycare director Abby Leach.
Among those queries: the book of rules associated with the United Methodist Church, the hierarchy of top-down leadership within the religion, a “Safe Sanctuary” meeting that took place within the church, another meeting that convened between leadership and former daycare worker Audra Humphries White, concerns of nepotism within the nursery, and more.
Both charged with alleged “breaching” of specific duties relating to the care of four children, Campbell noted he certainly had working relationships with both Williams and Leach at the time of his employment — which ended in summer 2021 with a return to Illinois.
Campbell said he believed that Williams had an “active role” within the church, particularly in weekly and semi-weekly staff meetings.
A “Safe Sanctuary” meeting came about, Campbell said, when Williams pointed out that the church staff was in need of training — a training that specifically comes in the form of pre-recorded videos, quizzes and group learning sessions from the Kentucky Conference.
There’s “as needed” for workers, and a mandatory for “every four years” with pastoral leaders, and from May 2017 to August 2018, Campbell said one hadn’t occurred.
This particular meeting was held August 11, 2018, held by Campbell.
And it’s after this 2 ½ hour meeting, Campbell testified, that White, Deneka Duerson and another employee first brought about concerns of nepotism between Simpson and Morgan being in the same nursery, and some “lighter” concerns of “roughing and bumping” children.
On August 13, 2018, Leach and Campbell had a discussion about the possibility of “troublemakers,” “not communicating clearly” and the possibility of Leach being “railroaded” after having just been appointed as daycare director.
Campbell also stated that soon after that “Safe Sanctuaries” meeting, he was able to report a few concerns to Williams.
Late September 2018, Campbell said he was able to confirm through maintenance supervisor Johnnie Shaver that White had been bringing concerns of child roughing to the picture.
This led to another conference with Williams.
Campbell said he left that specific meeting “frustrated” with Williams, because this felt like a “serious situation” that needed less disciplinary action from the church, and more reporting response to authorities.
After being asked by Bundrick about the leadership, Campbell said Kentucky’s Methodist bishop has the ultimate say on most topics, followed by a cabinet of district supervisors, clergy and appointed pastors, before trickling down to senior associates often tied to other dutes.
On February 7, 2019, following an investigation and discussion with a lawyer, Campbell began a list of notes on his iPhone pertaining to the case. After learning of the indictments, Campbell testified to Deatherage and the court that he often reflects on “what more could’ve been done” in the moment, as opposed to after the HPD investigation.
Campbell also testified that he was not, and is not currently, involved with a plea deal for information or special treatment. He is not charged with any crime.
Just before lunchtime, jurors heard from Duerson and two other former workers at the daycare.
As of 5 PM Wednesday, the trial was still well underway, but did conclude at 5:20 PM. The session will reconvene at 8:30 AM Thursday, with the Commonwealth approaching conclusion, and defense preparing its next step.
