Civil Lawsuit Filed for Repeated Sexual Abuse of a Boy by his Jehovah’s Witness Bible Study Teacher

Abuse took place over several years in and around Cordele, Georgia

CHICAGO (February 16, 2026) – In what can only be described as a traumatic and ironic indifference to the safety of a child, more than 100 incidents of sexual abuse of a teenage boy by his bible study instructor were allowed to take place because of the actions and inactions of Jehovah’s Witness church leaders. Details of this life-changing trauma are outlined in a new civil lawsuit filed in Georgia by Romanucci & Blandin, a nationally recognized civil rights trial firm, to hold all those responsible accountable for their actions. The abuse took place between August 2019 and January 2022, beginning when the child was in seventh grade. Church and organization leaders failed to take reasonable steps or to implement reasonable safeguards to avoid acts of childhood sexual abuse.

Case Background

The Plaintiff, whose identity is being protected and will be identified as John Doe, and the perpetrator, Lorenza Davis, attended the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Cordele, Georgia. The complaint alleges that the Defendants, through the elders of the Kingdom Hall in Cordele, permitted Davis to be a Bible study teacher.

In or about August 2019, Davis was assigned to provide individual Bible Study instruction to the Plaintiff, which Davis conducted alone with the boy.

Several months later, in March of 2020, the defendants and Elders of the Cordele Congregation ended all in-person contact, including Bible Study instruction, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, despite this directive, Davis continued to conduct in-person Bible study with the Plaintiff until on or around February 2, 2022, when the Plaintiff reported the sexual abuse to law enforcement authorities.

The complaint alleges, upon information and belief, that the defendant church organizations, as well as the elders of the Cordele Congregation, were aware of Davis’ in-person meetings with the Plaintiff during the time they were prohibited and nevertheless allowed the meetings to continue.

Between August 2019 and January 2022, Davis sexually abused the child more than one hundred times. The boy suffered physical injuries from this abuse. The abuse took place at multiple locations, including at the boy’s home, at Davis’ home, and in Davis’ car/truck. The scope of Davis’ relationship with the boy expanded, and Davis took the child to receive his regular allergy shots when the boy’s mother was at work, and many instances of abuse took place during those times.

As is common in sexual abuse, the abuser groomed the boy, instructing him not to tell anyone about the abuse. Davis used the trust, position, and authority he had as a fellow member, volunteer and Idle Teacher of the religious facility and the Cordele Congregation.

These incidents collectively point to a systematic dismissal of warnings and potential protective interventions, revealing a troubling pattern of institutional behavior that prioritizes organizational image over individual safety.

Criminal Investigation and Prosecution

On or around February 2, 2022, the Plaintiff reported this abuse to local authorities. On or around February 3, 2022, investigators from the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Davis. During that interview, Davis admitted to sexually abusing the Plaintiff.

On or around February 21, 2022, a grand jury in Crisp County, Georgia, returned an indictment charging Davis with three counts of aggravated child molestation, and he was ordered to have no contact with the boy. However, during that period, church leaders permitted Davis to attend religious services online via Zoom, during which the boy was also present, despite concerns raised by the boy’s mother.

On or around March 14, 2024, Davis pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated child molestation and was sentenced to 60 years’ imprisonment, the first 27 years to be served in confinement. Davis was also required to register as a sexual offender pursuant to the Georgia Sexual Offender Registry Act.

Civil Lawsuit Details

The lawsuit was filed on February 13, 2026, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. The complaint demands a jury trial.

The Plaintiff is represented by the Chicago-based national trial law firm Romanucci & Blandin, LLC’s Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci and Senior Attorney Maura D. White and local co-counsel Attorney Craig Cotton of The Georgia Law Team, PC.

Defendants in the lawsuit include Jehovah’s Witness Governing Body; The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.; The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.; The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Florida, Inc., a corporation.

Claims in the lawsuit include:

• Negligence
• Negligent Supervision
• Negligent Hiring and Retention
• Negligent Failure to Warn, Train or Educate

“What happened to our client should never have been allowed to take place. This pattern of behavior by these religious organizations is disturbing. It does not reflect mere negligence; it demonstrates a deliberate decision to prioritize protecting the institution and Davis over protecting a child from sexual predation. Defendants failed to take reasonable steps or to implement reasonable safeguards to avoid acts of childhood sexual abuse,” said Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci, Romanucci & Blandin.

“It is impossible to articulate the life-changing impact repeated sexual abuse has on a child: The physical harm, the emotional trauma, and the destruction of trust in any figure of authority. It is appropriate that the perpetrator was held criminally responsible for what he did, but we are also fiercely committed to holding these religious institutions accountable for their roles in failing to protect children from sexual abuse,” said Senior Attorney Maura D. White, Romanucci & Blandin.

“The horrific abuse that our client endured as a child should never have been allowed to happen. We look forward to working alongside Antonio Romanucci, Maura White, and their team to obtain justice for our client,” said Attorney Craig Cotton of The Georgia Law Team.

“What happened to me should never, under any circumstances, happen to anyone, especially a child. I was failed by the very people and systems that were meant to protect me, guide me, and keep me safe. Those failures did not end in the moment; they have followed me, shaping my life in ways no child should ever have to endure.

This lawsuit is not just about seeking answers for myself; it is about uncovering the truth and demanding accountability from those responsible. I hope that by bringing this to light, meaningful change can occur, so that no other child or person is forced to endure the kind of trauma I was left to carry.

I speak not only for the child I once was, but for every child who deserved protection and never received it, because accountability is the only way this harm can mean more than silence, and the only way to ensure it does not happen again,” said Plaintiff John Doe.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards.  Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured.  We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.