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Accused Molester Blames 'High Blood Pressure' For Actions

POSTED: 4:50 pm MST January 1, 2008
UPDATED: 7:54 am MST January 2, 2008

A Sunday school teacher who was arrested on suspicion of molesting a 5-year-old girl at a Phoenix-area church blamed his actions on his “high blood pressure,” according to a police report.

Terence James Greenwood, 62, a married father of two children, also cast blame on his “medication,” or the possibility he had “mental problems,” the report said.

Greenwood faces six felony charges, including child molestation, sexual conduct with a minor and indecent exposure.

Greenwood has been a member of the Chandler United Methodist Church for years, but just started helping in the classrooms in September, according to the police report.

In a phone call to Greenwood from the victim's mother before his arrest, he first denied what the victim said, the report stated.

He then admitted he'd "made a mistake" and was "ashamed" of it but said he only "exposed himself" to the 5-year-old girl, according to the report.

Greenwood was arrested on Dec. 21 outside a Paradise Bakery store on Ray Road where he does maintenance work.

In interviews with investigators, Greenwood admitted he "touched" the victim "inappropriately," "exposed" himself and made the young girl touch him and perform oral sex, the police report stated.

He also said he "tried to touch two other little girls" in the Sunday school class who spent the night with his 11-year-old daughter, according to the report.

As for why he "took advantage" of the 5-year-old girl, he said "she trusted him" and was "quiet," the police report said.

After getting away with it one Sunday, he said he was "emboldened" to "do it again," the report said.

Police said the church sent letters to its members about Greenwood's arrest. Officers said they are investigating the possibility there might be one other victim.

Greenwood is being held without bond.

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