Two lawsuits have been filed against historic Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, by plaintiffs who say they were sexually abused while under the care of church leaders. The lawsuit alleges that the abuse took place for years while church leaders were made aware but did nothing to stop it.

Joseph Gates of the Gates Law Firm filed both lawsuits in Pulaski County Circuit Court earlier this month. The lawsuit complains that in addition to the years of alleged abuse by named individuals, church leaders including former children's Minister Patrick Miller knew about the abuse but decided to ignore it instead.

The details that emerged in the lawsuit prompted felony kidnapping and sexual assault charges against Miller. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The lawsuits further accuse a second youth Minister and music Ministry leader, Reagan Gray. Like Miller, Gray is also facing felony sexual assault charges that were brought against her because of the allegations made in the complaints.

In Arkansas, there is no statute of limitations for civil claims brought forward by victims of child sex abuse. Under the state’s Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act, victims who were under the age of 21 when the sexual assault happened can bring a civil claim at any time. The lawsuit explains that the alleged sexual misconduct falls within the statute of limitations, regardless of this law.

The lawsuits are seeking compensation along with punitive damages arguing that the church failed to put safeguards in place that would have prevented the abuse and protected the children.

In civil cases alleging harm due to sexual assault, victims can go after not only their abusers but also entities that failed to protect victims from their abusers.

The lawsuits explain that when the allegations were first reported to the church, leaders decided to turn a blind eye instead of reporting the abuse to the proper channels.

Former Pastor Stephen Smith resigned from his position with the church in April when these allegations first surfaced. The church has yet to bring a new full-time senior pastor into the church.

Attorney Gates has been vocal in his support of the plaintiffs, lamenting that the church continues to avoid any responsibility. He shared with local Outlet, THV 11, “This continues a pattern with Immanuel dating back a year ago when I simply asked Immanuel to help me keep Patrick Miller from sealing his criminal record after he pled guilty to charges stemming from his abuse of another victim at Immanuel.”

Gates adds, “I pleaded with Immanuel pastors Steven Smith and Doug Pigg for help then, but those calls went unanswered. Despite Smith and Pigg no longer working for Immanuel, Immanuel continues to fail to answer the call.”