Megachurch Faces Civil Lawsuit After Church Elder Starves and Tortures Daughter to Death

Last year, an elder from Miles McPherson’s 19,000-member Rock Church in San Diego, California, was taken into custody and charged with the gruesome murder of her 11-year-old adopted daughter, Arabella, by way of torture and starvation. Now, a lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Arabella’s two remaining biological sisters, taking legal action against the church and accusing it of ignoring the signs of abuse and failing to report it.

The tragic chain of events unraveled in late 2022, when a distress call about a child led police to the home around 2 am. Emergency crews discovered the young girl in dire straits and rushed her to the hospital, where she later died.


Detectives observed signs of abuse and malnutrition, leading them to arrest Leticia McCormack, the adoptive mother, along with Arabella’s adoptive grandparents on multiple charges, including murder, torture, and deliberate cruelty to a child. Arabella weighed just 48 lbs when found, was covered in bruises, and was later discovered to have 13 still-healing bone fractures. Her adoptive father, Brian McCormack, chose to end his life rather than face arrest, shooting himself in his truck on the day Arabella died.

In the aftermath of this tragic incident, a civil lawsuit has been initiated. This legal action accuses the San Diego megachurch and one of its employees, along with several employees of the county Child Welfare Services, San Diego police and fire departments, and Arabella’s preschool of negligence for not reporting the clear and obvious neglect and abuse, with particular ire directed toward Rock Church, writing:

At some point, the Rock Church Child Abuse Investigator and Safety Operations Manager Kevin Johnstone became involved and visited the McCormacks’ home and the girls on multiple occasions.

In fact, Mr. Johnstone visited all three children just the week prior to Arabella’s death…(and) their neglect and abuse was apparent to him. All three girls were severely emaciated, underdeveloped, and the victims of prolonged starvation, isolation, lack of medical care, torture, and abuse.”

At the time of the death, Rock Church issued this statement, but has not commented since:

The Rock no longer has any official relationship with Leticia. Her ordination at Rock Church was previously suspended and is in the process of being revoked.

We continue to grieve for Arabella and her sisters. We are so sorry that their family and friends are experiencing this unimaginable loss and pain. We send our deepest condolences to all that are grieving at this time. Our hearts go out to each of them.


h/t Church Leaders

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4 thoughts on “Megachurch Faces Civil Lawsuit After Church Elder Starves and Tortures Daughter to Death

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  2. This is a false church to begin with – as they have female elders in direct contradiction to the teachings of scripture.

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