Church volunteer arrested

A 43-year-old Dracut man was arrested yesterday on charges of abusing children at a Methuen church where he volunteered, police said.

Kevin F. Curlew's volunteer duties at the Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Hill Street included looking after children of parishioners who were attending meetings, said Lieutenant Kevin Waithe of the Methuen Police Department.

Curlew was being held yesterday on $25,000 bail, Waithe said.

Neither church officials nor Curlew's neighbors returned messages last night.

It was not clear last night how many children he is accused of abusing, but Waithe said the alleged abuse occurred over a period of months.

Curlew was charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person under 14 years, three counts of enticement of a child, three counts of assault and battery, three counts of reckless endangerment to children, and one count of kidnapping, Waithe said.

Curlew is scheduled to be arraigned this morning in Lawrence District Court.

At a news conference televised last night on WHDH-TV, Methuen police Lieutenant Michael Wnek, said police are investigating if an incident occurred away from the church and whether there are more alleged victims.

''There may have been an incident, and we're looking into that right now that may have occurred elsewhere meaning not on the church grounds. We're investigating that at this time," Wnek said.

''My detectives are currently right now looking into the possibility that there may be more victims.

''We're not saying there is at this point, but we're exploring that avenue at this time."

David Abel