2 Pastors Arrested for Failing to Report a Sex Crime

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Cameras weren't allowed anywhere near the Church On The Word in Glendale, one day after police arrested pastors Daniel and Laura McCluskey .

Police say they knew a member of their congregation had allegedly sexually abused his own biological daughter for several years, but never reported him to investigators.

Back in 2008, investigators say the alleged victim went to a meeting with the McCluskeys and her father. She told them he was molesting her. The father even admitted to going into her room at night and touching her. Police say he was apparently remorseful.

"The clergy believe since that was the case at that time, the child should forgive the father and move on." said Detective James Holmes of the Phoenix Police Department.

Though he stopped abusing the alleged victim, investigators say he continued molesting his younger daughter.

One woman who lives in the neighborhood where the alleged crime took place says "I don't think anybody should have to go through something like that..it's horrible." She asked that we not identify her because she was molested as a child.

She believes the clergy shares the blame with the father. Had they reported him, they could've protected both daughters.

Had that meeting with the clergy happened before 2008, the couple might not have been charged at all.  A change in Arizona law now makes failing to report something like this a felong crime.

So far, no comment from the McCluskey's church.

The father and the McCluskeys remain behind bars.