Heather Matuszek a former Florida church leader and Chick-fil-A franchise owner is accused of molesting a then 15 year old teen girl on two occasions.
A Florida woman and fast food franchise owner has been charged with molesting a teenage girl while she was a church youth leader.
Heather Matuszek, 32, of Dunedin was arrested Wednesday on two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation of the young member of the Clearwater Community Church, near Tampa Bay.
Matuszek is accused of inappropriately touching the then 15 year old teenager on two occasions between August 2014 and April 2015. Incidents the former church leader conceded happening.
At the time of the alleged incidents, Matuszek was aged 28 The Tampa Bay Times reported.
The alleged victim told authorities that Matuszek twice spent the night in her bed.
She says that youth leader kissed her face and rubbed her arms and breasts over her clothing, according to a report from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim further claims that additional incidents happened outside of Pinellas County. They are set to be investigated by police.
Matuszek has been released on $40,000 bail and is due to return to court.
Not uncommon for youth leaders to spend time with their groups outside of the church setting.
ABC Action News reports that it ‘wasn’t uncommon for youth leaders to spend time with their groups outside of the church setting’.
Matuszek is no longer associated with Clearwater Community Church.
According to her LinkedIn account, she is the owner/ operator of a Chick-fil-A near Tampa since 2016.
The fast-food franchise, which is closed on Sundays for religious observance, has previously garnered controversy after its CEO made a series of public comments opposing same sex marriage.
In a statement, Chick-fil-A told ABC that Matuszek’s arrest ‘is deeply disturbing news’.
Adding, ‘No one should ever be subjected to this sort of abuse and we are shocked and saddened by the report. Law enforcement has jurisdiction over this matter and we are awaiting full facts to inform our actions.
‘Chick-fil-A, Inc. is sending company representatives to the location for restaurant support.’
Of disconcert, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Detectives say it’s possible there are more victims in the case. In a statement on Facebook, the agency advised anyone who believed their child may have been a victim or has information regarding the case to contact Detective Ghosio of the Crimes Against Children Unit at (727) 582-6006.
