🚨 OHIO – Authorities are asking the public for information about an Ohio man accused of child sexual abuse material offenses—including whether he attempted to gain access to children through local youth groups.

Phillip VanScoy, 32, of La Rue, has been indicted on multiple felony charges involving the alleged reproduction of child sexual abuse material and the destruction or concealment of evidence.

Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan has said investigators found evidence suggesting VanScoy may have tried to become involved with local youth groups for inappropriate purposes. Anyone with information has been asked to contact Detective Katie Barber at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

During our review, SEA documented the following:
📍Phillip and Wesley VanScoy are brothers. Ohio FFA records identify both men as sons of Bill and Sonie VanScoy.
📍Wesley’s wife, Haylee VanScoy, is listed in LifeWise Academy’s teacher observation system as a teacher for the Ridgemont Local LifeWise program, hosted at First United Methodist Church of Mt. Victory.
📍Phillip’s public Facebook activity also shows him sharing posts from Wesley and Haylee’s family business.
📍His public social media presence includes repeated references to Christianity and faith.

That does not establish involvement with any specific church, ministry or youth program. It is relevant only because law enforcement is specifically asking whether he sought access to children through local youth groups.

👉We need to be extremely clear about what this does—and does not—establish:

We have not found evidence that Phillip VanScoy worked for, volunteered with or participated in LifeWise Academy. A family relationship, religious identity or connection to someone affiliated with LifeWise is not proof that he had access to the program or its students.

However, when law enforcement specifically asks the public for information about a defendant’s possible efforts to enter local youth groups, it is appropriate to carefully examine documented connections to youth-serving churches, ministries and organizations.

Anyone with firsthand information about Phillip VanScoy’s involvement with a church, youth ministry, children’s program or other youth organization should contact:

Detective Katie Barber
Marion County Sheriff’s Office
740-382-8244

We will continue following the evidence and report if there’s any update to the facts.

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