Hearing Set for Church Workers in Sex Case

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TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Five employees of a Tulsa megachurch accused of waiting more than two weeks to report the rape of a 13-year-old on ministry grounds are set for court appearances.

John and Charica Daugherty — the son and daughter-in-law of the co-founder and head pastor at the 17,000-member Victory Christian Center — and Paul Willemstein, Anna George and Harold "Frank" Sullivan are due in court Wednesday. Each pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor count of failing to report the abuse in a timely manner.

Ex-ministry employee, 20-year-old Chris Denman, pleaded guilty Oct. 29 to raping the 13-year-old on church property and other sex crimes. He could face life in prison when he's sentenced Wednesday in a separate courtroom.

At the hearing, the sides will discuss elements involved in potentially proceeding to trial.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.