People v. Prominski

Fer CURIAM.

We are asked in this case whether a clergyman is obligated under the Child Protection Law, MCL 722.621 et seq., to report child abuse when he is told by a parishioner that the parishioner’s husband is abusing her children and she is seeking the pastor’s advice and guidance on how to proceed. We hold that, under those circumstances, a clergyman is not obligated to report the suspected child abuse to police.

In 2009, defendant was the pastor at Resurrection Life Church in Ionia and was approached by a parishioner regarding her concerns that her husband was abusing her daughters. The…