WAVERLY, Ohio — A federal judge has granted in part a renewed motion for default judgment against a Waverly, Ohio, church in a civil case brought by an Amesville woman formerly known as Serah Bellar.
On Tuesday, March 4, Judge Edmund A. Sargus Jr. of the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, granted default judgment against Dove Outreach for Bellar’s claims of: civil conspiracy, federal sex trafficking claims, a federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act claim and her state-equivalent RICO claim.
Sargus dismissed with prejudice Bellar’s state civil liability for criminal acts claims against Dove Outreach. Dove Outreach is the final defendant from Bellar’s federal suit; her parents, brother, county and sheriff’s deputy have since been dismissed. (“Dismissed with prejudice” means that the case is closed.)
Judge Sargus also ordered Bellar to file a motion for damages within 21 days of the March 4 opinion and order. After the damages motion, the court will determine if a hearing is necessary. The court will also direct Bellar to file a motion for attorney’s fees and costs after resolving her motion for damages.
“We hope that the Court enters a judgment against Dove Outreach that makes it as difficult as possible for them to ever have the resources to cause harm to children again,” Bellar’s attorney Mike Fradin said in an email.
In 2023, Bellar settled with Athens County and a former sheriff’s deputy for $420,000 for claims that the county was complicit in her abuse, and that the deputy sexually harassed her. As part of the settlement agreement, the county and deputy were dismissed from the case.
Bellar filed in federal civil court in 2022 after coming forward with allegations that included government complicity in her abuse. She claimed in court documents that Dove Outreach, a “cult-like” church operated by her uncle, promoted incest, child sex abuse and financially exploited its members — which contributed to the abuse she endured throughout her childhood. She also claims that the church “financially and otherwise benefitted from Plaintiff’s [her] sexual abuse.”
In 2022, Bellar’s parents, Robert and Deborah, were convicted on two felony counts: engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and endangering children. Robert was sentenced to three years in prison, while Deborah was sentenced to four. Robert was released from prison last year.
Note: This story has been updated to include comment from Bellar’s attorney.
