Church Sued Over Claims Youth Minister Sexually Abused Child

OAK LAWN, IL — A mother is suing an Oak Lawn church over claims that its youth minister molested her young daughter. The complaint was filed Feb. 24 in Cook County Circuit by Chicago attorney James Pullos on behalf of the girl’s mother.

The complaint alleges that Adam Cook was a youth minister for Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9701 Brandt Ave., Oak Lawn, when sometime before July 11, 2018, Cook developed a relationship in his capacity as a youth minister with the mother’s underage daughter. Cook and the church are both named as defendants.

The complaint claims Cook "initiated grooming behavior" in order to build a "trusting and secret" relationship with the underage "Mary Doe."

In July 2018, the girl signed up for a youth service project created by Cook. During the project, the complaint alleges that Cook engaged in sex with the girl, who was not of legal age to consent.

The lawsuit charges that Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, through its negligence, allowed “improper boundaries” to form between its youth minister and the girl, leading to the inappropriate relationship. The church also delayed reporting the alleged sexual abuse to authorities, the suit claims.

Cook was not charged criminally for the acts he is accused of in the civil complaint, according to news reports. Prior to joining Trinity in 2017, Cook held a similar position in a Naperville church.

The mother, “Jane Doe,” is suing for damages in excess of $50,000.