A prominent Southern California megachurch faces criticism and turmoil after agreeing to pay $3 million in a settlement tied to the 2022 death of an 11-year-old starved and abused girl.

Rock Church’s reputation has been shaken by the settlement, which partially resolved a lawsuit alleging that the church and others failed to act on repeated warning signs of abuse. The girl, identified in court filings as Arabella McCormack, the adoptive daughter of a former Rock Church elder, died in August 2022.

Founded by former NFL player Miles McPherson, Rock Church is one of the largest congregations in the region, drawing thousands of worshippers weekly and wielding significant influence in local faith communities.

The civil case, filed on behalf of Arabella’s two younger sisters, also led to a combined $31.5 million agreement involving the other defendants. The city and county of San Diego agreed to pay $10 million each to settle the suit, and Pacific Coast Academy agreed to pay $8.5 million. The academy is the charter school that oversaw the children’s homeschool program.

Attorneys for the girls’ family said the funds are intended to help secure long-term care for the surviving sisters, who are now in foster care and stable condition. They acknowledged, however, that no amount of money can compensate for the trauma they endured.

los Daily Mail reported that the tragic circumstances of Arabella’s death have cast a spotlight on the Rock Church, its leadership and key volunteers. It intensifies  long-standing questions about how the congregation and its affiliates responded to concerns about the girl’s welfare before she died.

In approving the settlement, a judge noted that Rock Church’s insurance will cover the $3 million payout.  

The lawsuit accused Rock Church of negligence, citing testimony that at least one church volunteer and ordained youth ministry leader associated with the McCormack family knew about troubling conditions but failed to report them. The complaint also highlighted broader failures by multiple mandated reporters, including a San Diego police officer and educators, to escalate concerns to child welfare services.

As previously reportado por El Informe Roys (TRR), Arabella’s biological parents accused Rock Church of complicity in the child’s death. The suit alleged a church member saw the McCormack children but took no action to protect them. Separately, the suit alleged, a church employee saw Arabella “within days” of her death but did not report the abuse.

Arabella’s death drew national attention in 2022 when sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a “child in distress” at the Spring Valley home where she lived with her adoptive parents. After the girl was found severely malnourished and with extensive injuries, she was taken to a hospital, where she later died. Prosecutors describe her death as resulting from prolonged abuse, including starvation, physical punishment and isolation.

Hours after deputies arrived at the home, the girl’s adoptive father, Brian McCormack, died by suicide when confronted by law enforcement. Her adoptive mother, Leticia McCormack, and Leticia’s parents, Stanley and Adella Tom, were arrested and charged with murder, conspiracy, torture and child abuse. They have pleaded not guilty, and their criminal case remains pending.

The settlement comes amid reports of internal disarray as members and leaders at Rock Church grapple with the fallout, the Daily Mail informado.

Church spokespersons have faced questions about how and when allegations of neglect were communicated internally and why mandated reporting obligations may not have been observed.

en un declaración issued after the settlement, Rock Church said it was “deeply saddened by the tragic and devastating loss of Arabella McCormack.” They hope the agreement “will help pave the way for healing.”

The statement emphasized the church’s commitment to safety and the implementation of “policies, strong safeguards and accountability measures across all ministries.”

The church also noted earlier that it revoked the ordained status of the volunteer connected to the McCormack family and has severed official ties with her.

Critics argue that the settlement, while providing financial remedy, does not fully resolve deeper questions about accountability and oversight.

The broader settlement, which still requires final approvals by local governmental bodies, reflects what attorneys described as “one of the most significant multi-party agreements” arising from child abuse litigation in the region.

As Rock Church faces increased scrutiny, its leadership has pledged to cooperate with ongoing investigations and to review internal practices. The case has sparked calls for clearer protocols and stronger enforcement of mandated reporting laws to prevent similar tragedies, especially within tight-knit community organizations.

Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the Correo de Nueva York and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for el tiempo de washington. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.