Accused Brewton preacher commits suicide

 RANGE, Ala. (AP) ? A part-time preacher awaiting trial on a charge of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl apparently shot and killed himself Tuesday at his father?s rural home, Conecuh County Sheriff Edwin Booker said.

Stephen Lyle ?Steve? Whittaker, 40, of Brewton had served as pastor of the 33-member Beaver Creek Southern Baptist Church in Baker, Fla., until he was charged March 12 with felony sexual abuse of the girl. He was released on $5,000 bond.

Investigators said Whittaker died Tuesday morning at a residence near Interstate 65 and Alabama 41, north of Brewton.

Whittaker had been working for a trucking company in Evergreen for a few days and had been living in a travel trailer parked in the yard of his father?s residence for about a week, Booker told the Press-Register for a story today.

The sheriff said Whittaker left a note giving funeral plans. He is survived by a wife and one child.

The sexual abuse allegation was investigated by Brewton police.

Police Sgt. Eric Suarez said Whittaker surrendered to Brewton police after the 11-year-old?s mother reported her suspicions to authorities.

Suarez said the girl?s mother called after her daughter told schoolmates she had been abused repeatedly by Whittaker, who was well known to the child.

The students told their parents, and one girl?s mother called the alleged victim?s mother, Suarez said.

Suarez said Whittaker ?after a brief interview admitted touching the child several times.?

Whittaker, however, told investigators the touching was accidental and happened as they were playing, Suarez said.

Both Whittaker and the child told investigators that the incidents happened many times over recent months.