This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Church Youth Leader Accused Of Kidnapping And Sodomizing 13-Year-Old
A youth leader at a Rowland Heights church has been accused of carrying on an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl since May. Yanhao "Eric" Ren, 24, has been a youth leader at Evangelical Formosan Church of Rowland Heights for two years, and had been attending the church since 2006, the OC Register reports. Police say that through his work at the church, he met a 13-year-old girl with whom he's engaged in a variety of sex acts in multiple counties since May.
The alleged crimes came to light when CHP officers went to check on car parked in a turn-out off Highway 330 near Running Springs at about 11:55 p.m. on Sunday. Inside, they found Ren in the backseat with the girl. Ren and the girl both told investigators that they had been in a relationship for the past few months, and Ren was arrested the following day.
Ren has been charged with sodomy with a child under 14, oral copulation with a child under 14, sex crimes with a child under 14, penetration with a foreign object with a child and kidnapping. Investigators believe these acts took place in Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino counties on multiple occasions.
Anyone with additional information should call Detective John Everman at (909) 387-3615.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
