Church employee: Alleged abuser had great access to kids

Rita Taylors says there wasn't much oversight at church in 1990s

Raymond Fernandez

Baltimore County police

BALTIMORE —As the investigation into a church child sex abuse case continues in Baltimore, a former employee of the church in question has come forward, revealing the level of access the man arrested had to the kids.

Ray Fernandez, 49, was arrested Friday on allegations that he abused two teenage boys in the late 1990s. Fernandez was a former teacher and youth group leader at Greater Grace World Outreach Church in Baltimore City.

"The first thing that went through my mind was horror," said Rita Taylor, who worked at the church as a secretary for 20 years. "I was stunned. I cried."

Taylor told 11 News that back then, there wasn't much oversight.

"I know they didn't have any screening process for the school. I mean, I volunteered and taught there, and I didn't get screened," Taylor said.

Investigators said the two victims, who are now adults, came forward in September. They claimed the abuse lasted for several years and happened at Fernandez's home, among other places.

Taylor said Fernandez was trusted by parents and even went on a church-sponsored trip overseas with five students with no other adult supervision.

"He always had kids around him," Taylor said.

Fernandez left Greater Grace in 2004, 11 News learned. Church leaders said they are cooperating with authorities in the case and said they're reviewing their policies, which they claim have gotten stricter since the time of the alleged abuse.

"This caused us to hire a third-party risk management company that specializes in nonprofits to review all of our youth things to make sure we're OK," said church spokesman Brian Lange.

Taylor said she believes there may be more victims.

"I do. I'm hoping if they see this they'll get the courage to come forward," she said.

The church said the two victims who came forward are still active members. Baltimore County police said if there are any other victims out there or if you have information about the allegations, give investigators a call at 410-853-3000.

Police said Fernandez was most recently working as a manager at the AMC Movie Theater on The Avenue in White Marsh.