WILLIAMSPORT, MD News (10/22/2024) – Over the past year, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Williamsport, Maryland and their daycare Kinder Haven Child Care Center, have experienced escalating tensions involving former church attendee, Bradley Stahl. According to information provided to us by a parent, Stahl and his girlfriend were asked to leave the church by its leadership, after which they began making serious allegations against the institution. Now, Stahl has been arrested by Washington County Sheriff’s Office and charged with threats of mass violence.
This story was updated on 10/23/2024 with additional information regarding peace orders against Bradley Stahl. Also updated to include a copy of the original email provided to RFHC by Mr. Nally.
This story was updated on 10/25/2024 with the outcome of the peace order against Mr. Nally.
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According to Spencer Nally, a parent of a child at Kinder Haven, peace orders were issued against Stahl after he attempted to enter the church’s daycare facility, but they expired over the summer of 2024. NOTE: Radio Free Hub City verified that multiple peace orders against “Bradly Stahl” expired 3/22/2024. A new peace order was filed against “Brad Stahl” on 10/22/2024, according to Maryland court records.
Following the expiration of the peace orders, according to Nally, Stahl’s behavior allegedly became more threatening, with reports indicating he made verbal threats towards parents and children. Nally states that Stahl even went so far as to threaten physical harm and accusing the church of child sex trafficking, and also states that Stahl allegedly called the church’s office to issue additional threats to staff and the building.
EDITOR’S NOTE: There has been no additional information provided to Radio Free Hub City regarding Stahl’s accusations outside of statements made by Nally, and Washington County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement that there have been no credible reports of such activity or evidence to suggest illegal activity at Zion Lutheran. This information was included to address internet rumors which were circulating prior to this article’s publication.
Based upon an email shared with Radio Free Hub City by Nally, Kinder Haven increased security measures in response to the threats. A third-party security firm, Personal Protection Counseling LLC, was hired by Kinder Haven to oversee safety during drop-off and pick-up times. However, according to Nally’s statements to us, church president Dawn Downey-Stiles (sister of judge Kirk Downey) told the third-party security they were no longer needed. EDITOR’S NOTE: Radio Free Hub City is unable to verify the accuracy of this statement, as Zion Lutheran and Kinder Care have not responded to our request for comment, and should this be an inaccurate statement we encourage either to contact us for a correction.
Meanwhile, legal proceedings against Stahl are ongoing. He faces charges, including threats of mass violence and harassment, with a court case currently underway. Stahl was arrested on October 20, 2024, and held without bond. His initial appearance took place the following day, and further court hearings are scheduled, including a competency hearing in November and a trial in December.
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A day after providing the information in this article to Radio Free Hub City, Nally informed us that a peace order was served against him for “harassment and stalking” for Zion Evangelical Lutheran’s Pastor Kimberly Nunberg-Wadel. Nally informed us that he feels the peace order is baseless, and in retaliation for his advocacy for the safety of the children, as he had contacted multiple people in the church leadership regarding his concerns over Stahl and the safety of the children at Kinder Haven. During the hearing for this peace order on October 25, 2024, the peace order was denied as “no statutory basis for relief”.
Unfortunately Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church and Kinder Haven Child Care Center did not return requests for comment.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office denied our request for related charging documents, but did issue the statement that “Washington County Sheriff’s Office has received no credible reports of and has no evidence to suggest trafficking or any other illegal activity is occurring at the Zion Lutheran Church in Williamsport.”
A copy of Nally’s original email provided to RFHC is below.
Story by multiple RFHC contributors
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