Homepage / Phoenix News
E-Mail News Alerts
Get breaking news and daily headlines.
Browse all e-mail newsletters

| More


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.

SLIDESHOW: View Celebrities And Their Pets SLIDESHOW: Celebrities Commit Fashion Faux Pas SLIDESHOW: How Well Do You Know Your Celebrities? SLIDESHOW: Red-Hot Redheaded Celebrity Women SLIDESHOW: Biggest, Baddest Fast-Food Burgers SLIDESHOW: Celebrities Commit Fashion Faux Pas SLIDESHOW: EW's Smartest People In Hollywood

  • ELSEWHERE ON KPHO.COM: "Dude, you shot me," victim said before gunman shot him two more times, killing him during an argument in late November, according to a witness. CLICK HERE TO SEND A MESSAGE
  • MORE SLIDESHOWS: From the bizarre to the tragic to late-breaking news, visit the KPHO.com slideshow section and click away! CLICK HERE for images.

  • Links We Like
    Sponsored Content
    Find out what a sputtering economy and an increasingly difficult to crack job market means to you. More

    Before you splurge on that pricey remodeling project, beware. It may not pay you back when it's time to sell. More

    Acupuncture, massage, or other complementary therapies could manage your type-2 diabetes. Find out whether they can help you. More

    Having a tough time selling you home? Check out the five reasons why you may be having trouble and find professionals who can help. More

    Sponsored Links

    Auto Reviews & Tips