Lawsuit Details Years of Alleged Abuse by Youth Leader
Isaiah Valdez, a former member of The Dwelling Place Anaheim, filed a lawsuit in late June alleging that youth group leader Ryan Doezie sexually abused him over several years while church officials failed to intervene. The abuse reportedly occurred between 2006 and 2011, when Valdez was between 11 and 16 years old. At the time, The Dwelling Place was affiliated with Vineyard USA, a nationwide network of nearly 500 churches.
Accusations of Negligence and Institutional Failure
Valdez alleges that Doezie groomed him with gifts, seclusion, and inappropriate conversations, later escalating to physical and sexual abuse—including penetration, oral assault, and physical violence. The lawsuit accuses church leaders of negligence, failure to supervise, and intentionally concealing Doezie’s behavior to avoid scandal. Valdez also believes church officials were aware of previous misconduct by Doezie involving other minors.
Pattern of Alleged Abuse and Cover-Ups Within Vineyard Network
The lawsuit places Valdez’s case within a broader pattern of alleged abuse and cover-ups inside Vineyard USA. It references past scandals, including Jackson Galtin, son of leaders at Duluth Vineyard Church, who was sentenced in 2024 to 13 years for sexually abusing minors. Investigations revealed that Galtin’s parents covered up his abuse. Former Vineyard leader Carl Medearis and others have also faced grooming and misconduct allegations, with critics pointing to systemic issues across the denomination.
Leadership Controversies and History of Abuse at The Dwelling Place
The Dwelling Place has faced multiple scandals beyond Valdez’s case. In 2022, Pastor Alan Scott controversially removed the church from the Vineyard network. Later reports accused Scott of spiritual abuse and manipulation. In 2024, a former children’s ministry volunteer at the church was sentenced to nearly 125 years in prison for molesting girls as young as six. Valdez’s lawsuit argues that such repeated incidents reflect longstanding institutional failures.
Divided Response From Public and Church Community
Supporters of Valdez stress the need for accountability and systemic reform. They argue that leadership enabled abuse through inaction. Detractors, however, question the timing and motives behind the lawsuit, warning against broad-brush judgments without full evidence. Both The Dwelling Place and Vineyard USA did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
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Former Vineyard Church, The Dwelling Place, Accused of Years-Long Sexual Abuse Cover Up
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