Ex-minister pleads not guilty to child abuse charges

June 01--BLOOMINGTON -- A Bloomington man pleaded not guilty Friday to a seven-count indictment accusing him of breaking his infant daughter's legs and arm.

Matthew Everly, 25, was in McLean County Circuit Court with defense lawyer Scott Kording for the brief arraignment hearing.

Everly, who until recently served as associate pastor of worship at Eastview Christian Church in Normal, surrendered to police on May 21 and was released after posting a $25,035 bond.

Charges accuse him of fracturing his infant daughter's left and right legs and left arm by pulling the child's limbs.

The most serious charges are Class X felonies and carry a possible prison term of up to 60 years. He also is charged with felony reckless conduct and domestic battery, a misdemeanor.

The charges do not list a specific date for the injuries that allegedly occurred between March 8, the date the child was born, and March 26, when Everly and his wife took the baby for medical treatment.

The case was assigned to Judge Robert Freitag, but another judge will hear the case because Freitag is retiring in July. A status hearing is set for July 2.

The child was temporarily removed from her parents, but is now living with the mother. Everly has supervised visitation with the baby.

Contact Edith Brady-Lunny at (309) 820-3276. Follow her on Twitter: @pg_blunny

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