Prop. 8-Loving Pastor Accused of Child Molestation

The board of a church in Sacramento County, Calif., has issued a statement in support of a pastor arrested on suspicion of child molestation.

According to The Sacramento Bee, the board of Rio Linda Baptist Church expressed its support for pastor Tom Gene Daniels, who is charged with suspicion of a lewd or lascivious act with a child under 14 and engaging in three or more acts of sexual conduct with a child. Daniels was one of the most vocal supporters of California's Prop. 8.

"Until such time as the courts prove Pastor Tom Daniels guilty, we have an obligation to support him and his family," said the statement. The Bee reported that "the statement also said that accusations such as those facing Daniels need to be tried in the court and not the media."

Daniels, 48, was arrested in December and is being held at the Sacramento County jail with bail set at $6 million. He has been employed as a foster parent and day care provider, according to the Bee.