Minister To Face Trial On Child Abuse Charges

MADERA, Calif. (AP) -- A Madera County children's minister will face trial on charges that he molested three of his foster children and two young neighbors.

According to KFSN-TV, a judge has ruled there is sufficient evidence to send Alberto Rodriguez to trial on the charges. Rodriguez appeared in court on Friday.

Prosecutors say he repeatedly abused the girls, who were under the age of 14, over a 20-year period. Prosecutors want to combine the case with that of a sixth alleged victim.

One of the girls accuses Rodriguez of first touching her inappropriately inside the Valley West Christian Center, where he worked as a children's minister.

Rodriguez's attorney says his client is not guilty. Rodriguez is being held on bail of $1 million. He is scheduled to be back in court in two weeks.

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