On February 10, police arrested four individuals connected with allegations of child abuse at Maranatha Christian School (MCS) in Florence, South Carolina.
Four suspects charged in connection with child abuse at Maranatha Christian School
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office alleges that on January 23, daycare worker Laurin Boyce, 73, “intentionally and repeatedly assaulted a child by slamming the heard of the child into the crib, covering the child’s head with a blanket, pressing down on the child’s head for a length of time and also dragging the child out of the room.”
Detectives further allege that nearly a week later, Boyce approached a child on the playground, knocked the child over, and then picked them up by the arm and leg before intentionally dropping them from waist height onto their head.
The police did not disclose any further details about the victim(s), or if the separate incidents involved the same child.
Additionally, two nursery workers, Jessica Elmore, 33, and Dawn Kirven, 42, have been charged with Failure to Report Child Abuse/Neglect. Police also charged Lee B. Patrick, 54, pastor of First Free Will Baptist Church — which is affiliated with the school — with Failure to Report Child Abuse/Neglect and Criminal Conspiracy.
Investigators claim all three were informed of the abuse but failed to fulfill their legal obligation to report it to law enforcement.
Under South Carolina law, certain persons, including school teachers, principals, childcare workers in a childcare center, and clergy, must report child abuse or neglect to law enforcement, and failure to do so is a crime punishable by a fine and imprisonment for up to six months.
On Tuesday, February 12, a judge set bond at $6,000 each for Patrick, Elmore, and Kirven and prohibited them from supervising schoolchildren. The judge later amended the order, allowing Patrick to preach at First Free Will Baptist Church on Sunday mornings while maintaining his restriction from involvement with the school.
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Boyce’s attorney told ABC15 that she resigned from her position at the school after the allegations surfaced and learned that a police investigation was underway. At the hearing, the judge denied bond for Boyce.
From the church pulpit on Sunday morning (February 16), Patrick addressed the recent challenges facing the church and school community. He said he could not share details but expressed hope he could say more in the future and thanked the congregation for their support.
MinistryWatch reached out to First Free Will Baptist and MCS for comment.
A representative from MCS replied that upon the advice of counsel, they could not comment on specifics at this time but look forward to the day when they can speak openly.
“As we navigate this difficult situation in the life of our church and school, we ask for prayers and we thank the hundreds of people who have reached out to show their support,” the MCS representative said. “ It is our constant and foremost goal that the Lord be glorified in this and in every situation.”
All four suspects have an initial court appearance scheduled for April 2.
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