Shapiro announces arrests in Jehovah’s Witness child sex abuse cases

Charges have been filed against four men related to the sexual assault of 19 children.

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro was in Pittsburgh Thursday to announce the arrests and criminal charges against Jesse Hill, formerly of Berks County and now a resident of Georgia; Jose Serrano of Lancaster County; Robert Ostrander, formerly of Cambria County and now a resident of New York; and Eric Eleam of Butler County for the sexual assault and exploitation of children. In each case, all of the victims were minors and members of Jehovah’s Witness congregations.

Shapiro said that when agents and police from Butler County attempted to take Eleam into custody, he retreated to his bathroom and killed himself.

The charges against the men range from aggravated indecent assault to rape and endangering the welfare of children.

“These are they types of cases that haunt us,” Shapiro said.

He said the investigation is open and ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding child sexual abuse is encouraged to report information to the Office of Attorney General’s hotline at 888-538-8541.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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