Allegations of sex abuse against one man have shaken one of the nation's largest Amish communities. Our Nicole Pence first reported this case last week, and since then, has been talking with people who've come forward to speak about allegations of sexual abuse in the Amish community.

A couple who left the Amish lifestyle after twenty-two years, say sex abuse is an illness in need of treatment...and, an Amish leader argues sex abuse is not the norm and not covered up.

With more than forty-five different Amish churches, Berne Indiana and Adams County is a picture of serenity. Fields continue for miles, roadways shared with horse-drawn buggies. The Amish live quietly, often keeping to themselves.

But, charges filed last week against this man, 55 year old Andy Eicher, have shaken the town's quiet. The alleged details are graphic. Court papers show that three of his ten daughters told police he had sex with them, several times, "as early as age five." Eicher faces five felony counts of incest and child molestation.

The daughters’ cries may have never made it to police without an older daughter, begging her neighbor for help.

Cherie Dailey/neighbor: "we knew the church was not able to handle something like this."
Dailey took the young girls cries to police.

So how does the Amish community handle sexual abuse?

Joe and Francis Schwartz, former Amish who left the church after more than twenty-two years have their opinion.

Francis Schwartz/Former Amish: "We went to another Church and seen everybody was in love with each other, not afraid of the preacher."

Joe H. Schwartz/Former Amish: "It's just a cult a closed, religion."

The couple says the Amish faith was the main reason they left...but, also because they believed what was and still is a problem in the Amish community: sexual abuse and incest.

Francis Schwarz/Former Amish: "Fathers taking advantage of their daughters. It's a very hush-thing. When I was a young girl I would work in a lot of homes, and us girls would tell each other, you work this home, be careful! Don't get alone with this man. This was an Amish man."

Joe Schwartz says it happened in his own home...his father with his sister.

Joe Schwartz/Former Amish: " She was so beside herself. I just told her you had to forgive him and forgive yourself."

Francis Schwartz/Former Amish: (Why didn't anyone do anything about this problem that you think existed?) They were scared. There are some there that are the most loving people. Fathers and daughters they have a lot of loving homes, and then they have that in them, and it's really bad."

Joe/Former Amish: (Why should the public get involved?) Because the Amish bishops are not doing their jobs... Being sexually abused is not their religion. It is out of line...Someone needs to step-in and wake them up."

But not everyone thinks the Amish have a wide-spread problem. Because of his religious beliefs he wouldn't show his face on camera or be recorded, but this Amish leader says:
"We are just as disgusted by the issue as the general public. I am sure people may have known about this (Eicher Allegations) but, when I hear someone say it's prevalent or common, it is not. There is no scripture that says this is ok."

He argues each church is different...but would a bishop ignore allegations of
Sexual abuse? He Responded: "Did this church do it's job? We don't know...but, those who left the Amish and say this is rampant should report names, or they are to blame as well." This is not something we are avoiding. This is something we are ashamed about."

The Amish man says in light of the sexual abuse and incest charges, it has opened dialog in the community. He's considering educational programs for Amish school children.

Francis Schwartz/Former Amish: "I thought, Good, now some of these girls can grow up free."

Eicher’s initial court hearing is set for May 13th.

The last case we found where an Amish man was charged with incest in Adams County was in 1949. That man pleaded guilty, then retracted his plea. The trial never happened, because the daughter eventually chose not to testify against her father.