(The pastor) told investigators he contacted the superintendent of the district church and another unidentified pastor to discuss the situation. He said after discussing the situation, it was agreed that the “incident was nonreportable because of the ages of the children,” according to the complaint narrative.

A former Walworth (Wisc) minister may not be the only adult who will face charges of failing to report child abuse or neglect, according to Walworth County District Attorney Phil Koss.

“There could be potential for other defendants depending on where this case goes,” Koss said in a telephone interview on Monday.

Joseph R. Fultz, 47, of 103 Prairie Drive, Walworth, former pastor of Grace Evangelical Church, Walworth, is charged with five misdemeanor counts of failing to report child abuse or neglect.

The charges stem from incidents involving six boys, now between the ages of 7 and 12, who engaged in sex acts on each other from Sept. 1 to Dec. 21, 2009, and again March 20, this year.

According to the criminal complaint, incidents occurred in a restroom at Grace Evangelical Church and Faith Christian School, Williams Bay. Another incident reportedly happened at the Abbey Resort in Fontana, and a fourth allegedly took place at a private residence in Walworth.

According to a report from the DA’s office, Fultz, as pastor, met with five boys he allegedly knew had been abused by other boys but he did not report it to the authorities.

Fultz is free on a $5,000 signature bond. His next court appearance is set for 8:15 a.m. Thursday, June 23, before Walworth County Judge David Reddy.

Fultz recently resigned as pastor of Grace Evangelical Church in Walworth.

Koss said Faith Christian School is cooperating with law enforcement. However, he declined to state whether they reported the incident that occurred in the school.

State law requires adults — professionals including teachers, administrators and pastors — to report sexual assaults involving children. Koss said the law requires professionals who have a “reasonable suspicion” to come forward.

“It’s a very low threshold,” Koss said.

Parents don’t fall into this reporting requirement.

Koss said the sex acts were only allegedly perpetrated by children. “There is no allegation that adults were involved in these acts,” Koss said.

Asked whether charges might be filed against some of the youngsters in juvenile court, Koss said he couldn’t comment on juvenile proceedings. However, because of the ages of the children involved, he didn’t think charges would be filed.

Law enforcement first learned of the sexual assaults when a parent reported it.

According to the criminal complaint, the first three charges allege that some time on or between Sept. 1 and Dec. 21, 2009, Fultz, in his capacity as a pastor, saw and talked to two boys, one age 5 or 6, and the other age 10, and had cause to suspect that the boys had been abused or were threatened with sexual abuse. Fultz did not report that suspicion to the authorities.

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