The attorney for a former Truett McConnell University student who accused a former school administrator of sexual abuse called the firing of TMU President Dr. Emir Caner “the right thing.”
Marcia Shein said in a statement that “This is not political or based on hate, but healing and the right time to make the changes that were long overdue.”
Shein represents Hayle Swinson, who discussed her sexual assault allegations on a May 29 podcast. Swinson claims that in 2013, Reynolds lured her into one-on-one “discipleship” sessions in the basement of his home, which escalated from inappropriate touching during prayer to rape. She claims the abuse continued through 2017.
“I was groomed, I was confused, I was targeted,” Swinson told TRR publisher Julie Roys in a podcast. “I felt isolated, like I was alone. . . It took, and it has taken, and it will take years of my life to unwind every lie that was told to me.”
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Calls for Caner’s removal
Southern Baptists have faced allegations that hundreds of church leaders and workers have abused people over the years and that the denomination hasn’t done enough to prevent abuse. At Truett McConnell, the case created an uproar among faculty and alumni. A rare public protest took place outside a trustee meeting in June, demanding Caner’s removal for allegedly covering up the alleged abuse.
Caner said in a video posted on social media after being placed on leave that it grieved him that “one of our own, one of our family, has been hurt in this way.” But he denied concealing or ignoring any assaults.
“While there was no cover-up, there was no Title IX filed or an HR complaint, there was no petition that ever came across my desk. We have to do better,” Caner said in the video.
More than three months into his leave, the TMU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to sever ties with Caner. The action came after an investigator presented his findings to trustees on September 25. The university didn’t disclose those findings.
The Board also named acting president John O. Yarbrough as interim. In a news conference Friday, Yarbrough said details of Caner’s separation are still being negotiated.
“But I can tell you I’m interim president and Dr. Caner is no longer president of the university today,” Yarbrough said.
A call for ‘healing and change’
Swinson hasn’t sued Truett McConnell because she is blocked by Georgia’s four-year statute of limitations on lawsuits. However, White County District Attorney Jeff Langley has said that he is taking a renewed look at the case. He is expected to release his findings soon.
“These brave women who came forward, and the others who were afraid to, deserve the support of the Christian community going forward with support for healing and change,” Shein said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
