Daniel Menelaou, a former Adelaide youth pastor now facing charges in the United States of possession of child abuse material, previously ran wellbeing programs at two South Australian schools while employed by Futures Church.
According to The Advertiser, Salisbury High School acting principal Danni Margan informed families in a letter dated April 10 that Menelaou had visited the school on June 21, 2022, March 3, 2023, and June 15, 2023.
He attended in his capacity with Futures Church, formerly known as Influencers Church, as part of lunchtime and wellbeing initiatives.
“Due to the nature of the lunchtime and wellbeing program activities being conducted in open areas and visible to school staff, we do not believe any child at the school was put at risk,” the letter stated.
“The information available to the school at this time suggests that there is no need for any concern for any child at our school.”
An Education Department spokesperson said letters were issued at two Adelaide schools where Menelaou had been present, “out of an abundance of caution.”
“There is no reason to believe any child at either school was put at risk,” the spokesperson added, noting information about support services was made available to concerned families.
Menelaou, 28, worked across multiple Futures Church campuses in South Australia from 2018 before relocating to Alpharetta, Georgia, where he held a similar role.
In early March, he was arrested in the US after a tip-off alleged he had shared sexually explicit videos involving children via a messaging app.
Authorities seized electronic devices, and he was charged with possession of child abuse material.
He was granted bail in late March after paying almost $200,000 to secure his release.
Futures Church, which has campuses in both Australia and the US, responded to the arrest, stating they were “horrified” by the charges and “categorically condemn these (alleged) actions in the strongest possible terms.”
Source: The Advertiser.
