A woman has filed a lawsuit against the son of the founders of the Faith Life Church in New Albany, claiming he sexually abused her and that his parents failed to protect her and others who were abused.
The unnamed woman, who is identified as O.W. in the suit, claims that Gary Keesee Jr. raped and sexually abused her from the time she was five years old until she was about 16. Keesee, now 36, was a youth pastor.
The woman is now 29 years old.
The suit says that throughout her childhood, her family were church parishioners and her parents eventually became church elders.
The suit also states Keesee's parents, Drenda Keesee and Gary Keesee Sr., should have known that girls were in danger due to their son's conduct and did nothing.
Drenda Keesee is a Knox County commissioner.
The suit, filed Thursday in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, claims the woman has suffered temporary and permanent physical and psychological injuries, plus past and future medical expenses and past and future lost wages.
The suit asks for at least $25,000 plus punitive damages.
Gary Keesee Jr. faces 32 rape and gross sexual imposition charges in cases involving minors. He has pleaded not guilty.
WOSU has left messages with Faith Life Church and Drenda Keesee seeking comment.
