A father was arrested for molesting his two daughters and two pastors were also arrested on suspicion of failing to report the accusations to authorities, according to Phoenix Police

The father was booked with one count of sexual abuse, two counts of child molestation, and eleven counts of sexual conduct with a minor on July 9, according to Phoenix police spokesman James Holmes. The police are not releasing the father’s name to protect the identities of the victims.

His then 16-year-old daughter told a neighbor that she had been molested by her father for several years. The neighbor then confronted the father and he apparently admitted his involvement. The father also confessed that he knew what he was doing was wrong.

After this confrontation the Phoenix police were brought in and the girl was with the neighbor when she talked to officers, according to Holmes. The girl told officers of at least one instance of sexual intercourse and many instances of sexual contact over almost 5 years; she also informed police of the molestation of her older sister who moved out when she turned 18.

According to police, the father confessed to sexually abusing both victims after questioning and was arrested immediately.

The older daughter, now 19, told her two pastors about the alleged abuse in 2008 but they did not report the accusations to police, according to Holmes. Under Arizona law, and nearly every state has similar laws, the pastors had the duty to report to Child Protective Services and/or law enforcement.

Instead, the pastors met with the older daughter and the father. At that meeting, according to the police, the father confessed to sneaking into his daughter’s room to touch her. The pastors suggested the girl forgive her father, because he was repentant, Holmes added.

The pastors were arrested on one count each of failure to report sexual abuse.

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