Former Kanakuk Kamp Staff Member Arrested for Child Sexual Assault in Dallas
Matthew Harmon was arrested last week for an incident in 2007.
A former Kanakuk Kamps staffer was arrested for child sexual assault and released on bond in Dallas, Texas, late last week.
Matthew Harmon
According to Dallas police, the department’s Child Exploitation Squad issued an arrest warrant for Matthew Harmon, 46, on May 28, 2024.
Harmon was wanted for the sexual assault of a child in 2007 when he was a teacher and coach at the Providence School in Dallas. He turned himself in to the Dallas County jail, the police department told MinistryWatch.
On May 29, he was released on a $40,000 bond, according to the “Facts about Kanakuk” website, a forum for sharing concerns and stories of abuse that allegedly took place at Kanakuk Kamps.
Harmon worked summer camps at Kanakuk in Durango, Colorado, and Kanakuk in Branson, Missouri, beginning in 1995 through the mid-2000s.
Facts about Kanakuk reported that Harmon’s parents have been close friends of Joe and Debbie-Jo White, who have led the Kanakuk Kamps since 1976.
Reportedly, the Harmons have a cabin located directly adjacent to Kanakuk with access to the campground. Hank Harmon, Matthew Harmon’s father, held the title of “Trip Director” for Kanakuk Kamps from 1971 through 2011, the survivor website said.
The Harmons, including Matthew Harmon, were given frequent access to Kanakuk campgrounds because of their ties to Kanakuk and its senior leadership.
As recently as 2022, the Harmons were given access to Kanakuk for a family gathering, even after child sexual abuse allegations against Matthew had come to light, Facts about Kanakuk asserted.
Access to MinistryWatch content is free. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. To make a donation, click here.
According to Dallas police, “Through the course of this investigation, detectives determined Harmon had been in contact with thousands of children through his work and volunteering.” They say there may be victims who are yet to be identified.
Matthew Harmon worked as a teacher and coach at Providence School from 2005 to 2007, where he taught computers, English, and physical education, along with coaching girls’ volleyball and boys’ lacrosse and football.
He also taught at Trinity Christian in Addison, Facts about Kanakuk reported, where his parents also were on the faculty from 1983 to 2023.
Apparently, an independent investigation was started in the fall of 2022 after allegations were made by victims at Providence. The investigation eventually led to the opening of a criminal case in May 2023.
Shortly after the investigation became publicly known, Diane and Hank Harmon announced their retirement from Trinity Christian Academy, Facts about Kanakuk reported.
From 2009 to 2014, Matthew Harmon served as the executive director of the Trinity West Christian Dispatch Foundation, a nonprofit group he founded to serve “vulnerable youth internationally.”
In this role with the foundation, Harmon would travel to natural disaster recovery zones and orphanages in countries such as Haiti, according to Facts about Kanakuk.
Dallas Detective Eric Seyl asks that anyone with information regarding Harmon, please contact him at 214-671-4473 or [email protected].
TO OUR READERS: Do you have a story idea, or do you want to give us feedback about this or any other story? Please email us: [email protected]
