Seattle LDS Leaders Accused of Threatening Parents to Cover Up High Priest’s Abuse of Minors
A civil lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court alleges that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints actively concealed the predatory behavior of a Seattle high priest, allowing him to sexually abuse young girls during the 1980s.
The complaint, filed by two women identified as Jane Doe #1 and Jane Doe #2, names the LDS Church and its corporate entities as defendants.
The plaintiffs allege that Francis DeFord Cochran, a high priest in the 6th Ward of the Seattle Stake, used his position of religious authority to groom and sexually abuse them when they were small children.
Open Grooming and Ignored Warnings
According to the complaint, church leadership ignored numerous “red flags” regarding Cochran’s behavior with minors.
The lawsuit alleges that in the 1980s, Cochran would openly place young girls on his lap during church primary and in the church nursery in front of other adults responsible for supervision.
Cochran also allegedly lured young girls to his home by offering them gifts, such as jewelry boxes and stuffed animals, or by promising to show them his pet rabbits and rock collection.
The lawsuit details the abuse of Jane Doe #2, stating that around 1983, Cochran invited her to his home, removed her underwear in his bathroom, and rubbed cream on her genitals.
The complaint asserts that church leadership had prior knowledge of his danger; Jane Doe #2’s grandfather, a member of the Bishopric, reportedly warned her father in 1984 or 1985 that Cochran was a danger to children and that she should no longer be left alone with him.
Threats and Cover-Up
The institutional cover-up allegations heavily center on the church’s response when the abuse was explicitly reported. Around 1987, Jane Doe #1 told her mother that Cochran had abused her in the church nursery.
Her mother reported the abuse to law enforcement and to the 6th Ward Bishop, identified as Bishop Hoffman.
During a subsequent meeting with the bishop, Cochran, and Cochran’s wife, Hoffman allegedly attempted to dismiss the allegations without investigation and appeared disappointed when the mother confirmed she would still speak to the police.
When Jane Doe #1’s mother began calling other mothers in the ward to warn them about Cochran, Bishop Hoffman allegedly called her and threatened to revoke her “temple recommend” if she continued.
The situation was eventually escalated to Stake President Paul Diehl, who met with the parents and subsequently ordered Hoffman to announce Cochran’s excommunication to the congregation.
Criminal Convictions and Continued Access
Cochran’s predatory behavior resulted in multiple criminal convictions. According to the complaint, in 1986, a neighbor discovered Cochran in a room with his naked granddaughter, with his pants around his ankles. He pleaded guilty to two counts of Statutory Rape in the First Degree in 1987.
Despite these convictions and numerous red flags, the lawsuit alleges the church allowed him continued access to minors, including permitting him to transport vulnerable refugee girls to church events.
In 1988, he pleaded guilty to two counts of Indecent Liberties for sexual abuse that occurred on church property.
The plaintiffs are suing for negligence and outrage, claiming the church’s intentional and reckless actions caused severe emotional and psychological distress.
A copy of the complaint is available here.