Path MEGAzine has learned that Gospel star James Fortune is being sued for physical child abuse of his then 4-year-old stepson.
According to a civil lawsuit, Fortune is being sued for $5 million after burning 50% of his stepson’s body and leaving him disfigured. Both Fortune and his wife Cheryl, the mother of accuser, are named in the suit.
In the suit, physical abuse occurred after he colored on a table in school. It’s claimed that after trying to verbally punish the child and putting him in time out, Fortune began “preparing a scalding bath” to punish his stepson.
Further in the suit, it claims Fortune “instructed (the child) to remove his clothes and began to whip the naked toddler with a switch.” He is then accused of putting the child in the scalding water, which left his body extremely burned.
The child was then treated at the Shriners Burn Hospital in Galveston for over two months.
Fortune’s stepson has since undergone many operations to repair the skin on his hands, buttocks, legs, and genitals.
The timing of the lawsuit will come under heavy scrutiny. Fortune went from being a relative unknown in 2001 to a top selling artist, and NOW he’s being sued by the child’s father.
The incident occurred over 11 years ago in 2001. In 2003, James Fortune plead guilty to felony injury to a child, receiving six years deferred adjudication. The child in the claim is now 15 years old. The suit is being filed by his biological father who says the money will be used for plastic surgery to repair his disfigurement.
Fortune just released the following statement:
I recently became aware of a civil suit pending against my wife, Cheryl Fortune and I, for an incident that occurred in 2001 involving my stepson. There was a criminal investigation and all matters were resolved in 2003. Since that time, my family and I, including my stepson, have continued with family traditions and always have a loving family environment. We are shocked by this lawsuit but understand people are free to use the court system to pursue claims, whether they contain merit or baseless matters. We are confident through this process, if it proceeds to a judge or jury, the ultimate decision maker will render a decision that is favorable to the circumstances and timing surrounding this situation. We believe in our American justice system and know it will work for us as it has for millions of other Americans. I love all my children, including my stepson, and I ask for your prayers as we deal with this matter privately. Thank you for your continued support for me, my family, and ministry.
With hits like ‘I Trust You,’ ‘You Survived’ and ‘I Believe,’ Fortune has become a valuable asset to the Kingdom of God. Let’s keep him and all parties in prayer.
