Youth group leader charged with assault of girl

The leader of a youth group at Carmel Presbyterian Church in Glenside, Montgomery County, has been charged with indecently assaulting a 13-year-old girl whom he supervised in confirmation classes, authorities said.

Norman Brooks, 61, initiated a series of incidents involving inappropriate contact with the girl between January and April of this year, according to Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman. Brooks, a Glenside resident, has been charged with indecent assault, corruption of minors, and endangering the welfare of children.

According to authorities, the assaults took place at the girl's home, the church, the Abington Library and the Keswick Theater.

"Parents send their children off to church and believe they're going to be safe. Obviously that sacred trust has been violated," said Assistant District Attorney Todd Stephens, captain of the sex-crimes unit.

The offenses involved inappropriate touching outside of the clothes, and the girl was always quick to reject Brooks' advances, Stephens said. Eventually, she confided in an adult, and that person contacted the authorities, he added.

Brooks has been arraigned before District Judge Joseph Dougherty. His bail was set at $500,000, unsecured, with the provision that he have no contact with children under 18 nor with the victim or her family, and that he not return to the church.

The judge recommended that Brooks undergo a psychological evaluation.