A volunteer youth leader has been arrested for the alleged repeated sexual assault of a teen girl.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex crimes that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
Donald Axtell, who had been serving at Excelsior Springs Baptist Church in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, is accused of assaulting the teen across a span of two years, including at least one alleged incident that occurred on church property.
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Donald Axtell has been charged with statutory rape, statutory sodomy, furnishing pornographic material to a minor, and possession of child sex abuse material.
According to KSHB, the victim told police the alleged sex crimes started in July 2023 when she was 15 years old. The victim also recounted an alleged sexual assault that occurred in a classroom at the church in December 2023 when the victim was 16.
According to KMBC, the victim said that Axtell exchanged sexually explicit text messages beginning in April 2023 and that the sexual assaults occurred in several locations, including on lake trips.
The victim has alleged that Axtell sexually abused her in July 2024 and June 2025.
Axtell, 37, was taken into custody on Thursday, Nov. 13.
According to reports, Axtell initially denied having a sexual relationship with the victim but later admitted to sexual encounters upon further questioning.
