Feb 10, 2008 8:18 am US/Eastern
Church's Music Director Charged With Child Rape
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
A high ranking figure within a Baltimore church is behind bars after police say he raped a girl he was supposed to be teaching.
Kathryn Brown reports, the man charged serves as music director at Bethel AME Church.
Timothy Price has been a well respected music minister at Bethel AME since 2006, but now church members are stunned to learn he's admitted to having sex with a then 12-year-old church member.
Police are now looking for more potential victims.
The music program at Bethel AME Church is renowned for its ministry.
Now, the man behind that music is facing disturbing charges that he had sex with a 12-year-old church member.
"I think it's very wrong, and he's gonna burn in hell for that," said neighbor Shanna Coe.
Investigators say Price has admitted to having sex with the young girl in his car at least three times in various parking lots and alleys around the church.
This all happened while he was driving her to and from dance practice and bible study.
"The suspect in this case works with many children from what we understand. He's the musician in the church, so therefore, they had plenty of access well before the incidents ever took place," said Detective Donny Moses with the Baltimore City Police Department.
Charging documents explain the incidents in graphic detail.
They show the two began a relationship in June of last year, first communicating through text messages and cell phone conversations.
The victim kept a journal, and after the latest incident, she told her mother what was happening.
Long time church members like Amy Scott are surprised to hear Price was not what he seemed.
"I thought he was a nice person. That was my thought," said Scott.
The church's pastor Dr. Frank Reid declined to speak on camera but did issue a statement saying that the entire congregation is saddened by the turn of events and they are praying for both the victim in this case and for Timothy Price.
"I think that's very wrong what he did. Taking advantage of her, that's very wrong," said one neighbor.
Mayor Sheila Dixon is a member of Bethel AME Church.
She declined to comment on the allegations.
Price is charged with 18 counts of sex abuse, assault and child abuse.
He's being held on $1 million bail.
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