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BoDeans molestation allegations
BoDeans molestation allegations
MILWAUKEE -- The stepdaughter of BoDeans band member Kurt Neumann said she was molested by former singer and guitarist Sam Llanas. On Tuesday, June 12 Summerfest officials said in a statement Llanas will not perform at the Big Gig this year. He was scheduled to perform on June 30:
Formed in the 1980s, the BoDeans has roots in Waukesha, where Llanas and Neumann got it started.
In an article published by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Tessa Neumann, Neumann's stepdaughter, said Llanas started molesting her when she was only 9 years old. She said the abuse continued for several years.
In sharing the article on her Facebook page, Tessa Neumann added the following comment -- provided to FOX6 News by her mom.
Sam Llanas did not return a request by FOX6 News for comment, but he did turn to Facebook on Monday. He wrote "I am sickened by the lies the Neumann family have told about me. God help them."
Sharain Horn-Dalzin
At Aurora Health Care, the director of Healing & Advocacy Services tells FOX6 News it is common for victims of child sexual assault to keep silent.
"Telling someone those intimate things that someone did to you, that violated you, can be really difficult," said Sharain Horn-Dalzin, of Aurora Healing & Advocacy Services.
Horn-Dalzin said an abuser is often not a stranger.
"What we know is people are often sexually assaulted by someone they know, and trust and have a relationship with. That's how abuse, often in children, begins is by that relationship," Horn-Dalzin said.
The Neumann family tells FOX6 News they have not filed a lawsuit.
Aurora Health & Advocacy Services offers free counseling to victims of sexual assault. CLICK HERE to learn more.