Ohio Pastor’s Wife Denies Daughter’s Abuse Allegations Amid Polygamy Controversy

Lydia Ford publicly defended her husband, Pastor Israel Ford, after her daughter accused him of abuse, adding another development to the controversy surrounding the Ohio church leader's announcement of a second wife.

During an October 30 livestream with Israel and Shakayla Ford, whom the couple describe as his second wife, Lydia acknowledged the accusations and rejected them.

"We know that they're serious. We know how damaging they can be. And I need y'all to know that they are not true," she said, according to ChurchLeaders.

The allegations came from Lydia's daughter, Kourtney Jones, who has accused her stepfather of sexually abusing her and physically abusing her twin sister, Kayce White. These remain allegations; Lydia's denial does not resolve the claims.

Separately, ChurchLeaders reported that court records show Israel was convicted in 2019 of misdemeanor domestic violence involving a stepdaughter whom Jones identifies as White. That reported conviction concerns a distinct matter from Jones' sexual-abuse allegations.

Lydia also expressed love for her daughter while saying the livestream would not serve as a forum for addressing the accusations in detail.

"I love my daughter with all my heart," she said.

Israel and Lydia lead LifeWorks Church in the Cleveland area, where Shakayla serves with the title of minister. The family attracted widespread attention after Israel shared a video of Lydia introducing Shakayla to the congregation as her "sister in marriage."

The Fords have described their arrangement as a decision reached through prayer, fasting and biblical study. Israel has also publicly argued against the belief that marriage must be limited to one wife.

Jones has challenged the family's account. During an October 28 appearance on the "All Things Theology" podcast, she alleged that her mother and stepfather had previously included another woman in their relationship before presenting their current arrangement in theological terms.

The controversy now encompasses both the Fords' public teaching about marriage and serious allegations concerning conduct within the family. The October 30 livestream offered Lydia's categorical denial but, according to the supplied report, did not provide a detailed response to her daughter's accusations.