ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio —- Robert and Deborah Bellar pled guilty in an Athens County court last week to engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, and felony child endangering. The Bellar family has been called an incestuous cult with ties to Pike County.
The Bellar story began in 2020 when Serah Bellar, one of 18 children of Robert and Deborah, was reported missing. According to reports, Serah Bellar escaped from the family and remained hidden until her 18th birthday. It was after her 18th birthday that she told investigators her story. A story of rape, incest, abuse, and torture.
Investigators went to Georgia to speak with Serah. It was during this interview that the truth about the family surfaced and a criminal investigation was launched.
In February of this year, Serah Bellar filed a federal lawsuit alleging a coverup of the Bellar case. Several defendants were mentioned in the lawsuit, including an Athens County Sheriff’s Deputy, Jimmy Childs, and her uncle, James Bellar.
In July, former deputy Childs pled guilty to disorderly conduct. According to Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn, Childs received a phone call from Robert Bellar, deleted the call log, and failed to notify his supervisor of the phone call. Childs resigned and was asked to surrender his peace officer certificate.
The Guardian reached out to the uncle, James Bellar, regarding his role in the case and the accusations that his Pike County church is a cult. Dove Outreach, located in Waverly, is led by James “Jim” Bellar. According to their website, “Jim” stands for “Jesus is Master.” The leader of the group considers himself an apostle and is currently writing his version of the Bible. During the criminal investigation, Serah told investigators that she and her siblings would be forced to attend Dove Outreach.
Josiah Bellar, an older brother, pled guilty in December to felony charges of felonious assault and child endangerment. He was sentenced to five years of community control with the possibility of a four-year prison sentence if he violates the terms of his community control. A residential mental health and substance abuse treatment program at Mended Reeds Mental Health must also be completed by him.
Another brother, Jonathan Bellar, 27, was also charged with gross sexual imposition in connection with the case. That case is still pending.
Reports say the allegations against the Bellar family go back to early 2008.
Records show that additional reports of sexual abuse were made in 2017, 2018, and 2020 to Athens County Children Services, but no charges ever stemmed from those investigations.
Athens Prosecutor Keller Blackburn, in a statement, said, “There was an absolute systematic failure in handling these accusations.”
He would go on to add, “At every step of this investigation, adults who have committed crimes against children have been arrested and charged. Now, the two whose primary responsibility was protecting the two victims of abuse are headed to prison. ”