A Mississippi man and his mother were arrested and charged with child abuse after a 13-year-old girl, who had been staying with the family, was impregnated. The accused and his mother are the son and wife of a pastor at a local Baptist church - New Heights/College Heights Baptist Church - in Poplarville.

The 27-year-old accused man is charged with one count of statutory rape, two counts of sexual battery, and one count of human trafficking. His mother is charged with conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, attempted tampering with physical evidence, and felony child neglect, defined as intentionally and knowingly permitting the continuing sexual abuse of a child.

An investigation began after an anonymous report was received that indicated the 13-year-old was pregnant.

A search of the suspect's phone during the investigation revealed multiple images and videos showing the accused raping the child. Communications between the girl and others discussing her pregnancy and identifying the accused as the biological father were also found.

The investigation also revealed that the accused's mother allegedly instructed the girl to tamper with evidence and instructed her regarding how to fabricate a false DNA test.

The investigation revealed text messages between the accused's mother and the girl in which the accused's mother attempted to coerce, direct, and instruct the girl to give false information regarding the accused to investigators and to fabricate a false DNA test.

Further, the teen's mother revealed that the accused allegedly admitted to her that he is the father. She allegedly received money and favors from the accused.

A baby shower for the teen was allegedly scheduled at the church.

Source: https://www.wlox.com/2026/07/21/new-details-pastors-son-accused-impregnating-13-year-old-girl-while-she-was-living-with-family/

Commentary

In the above matter, a minor was living with a host family when the alleged crimes against the child hosted occurred. It is not known whether a religious or other organization supported hosting the alleged victim. Even so, it is not uncommon for organizations to support or encourage families to host children in need, temporarily.

Informal home placements through schools, churches, sports programs, mission work, etc. often fall outside the systems that have the oversight required for proper, licensed placements. Such authorized host family placements would include background checks, home studies, and ongoing visits among other measures designed to promote child safe environments.

In the above matter, the victim became pregnant. Obviously, pregnancy of a minor is a sign of possible sexual abuse, especially if the victim is vulnerable because of family separation.

Whether a placement is formal or informal, it is important to recognize the warning signs of child sexual abuse, which include, but are not limited to:

· A desire to be with children/students or one particular child/student without other adults present

· Goes to great lengths to build trust with children/students and adults around them

· Looks for and/or creates opportunities to be with children/students away from parents and other adults

· Provides gifts, money, or attention to children/students without parent, caregiver, or organization knowledge and/or consent

· Takes and collects images of children/students not related to them

· Acts like a child/student and does child-like things to receive attention from children/students

· Prefers the company of children/students to adults and/or is uncomfortable around adults

· Wants children/students to view them as preferable over other adults

· Fixates on one or a few children/students while ignoring others

· Gives special permissions, such as, increasing grades without merit, allowing students to sleep in class, or allowing children to bend organizational rules

· Asking a student to stay after class alone without other adults/students present

· Communicates directly to children/students online or other means without parent, caregiver, and/or employer knowledge

· Disrespects or demeans parents, caregivers, and other adults to children/students

· Frequently touches children/students, sexually or otherwise

· Makes sexual comments or uses sex speak around children/students

· Makes comments to children/students about their bodies or appearance

· Views, stores, and shows pornography to minors

· Provides alcohol or drugs to children/students or permits children/students to abuse alcohol or drugs in their presence

· Has coercive sexual fantasies

· Is impulsive and has antisocial tendencies

· Prefers impersonal sex

· Is hostile toward women

· Has a childhood history of sexual or physical abuse

· Talks about sexual activities regarding children, students, or teens

· Encourages children/students to keep secrets

· Requests adult partners to dress or act like a child/student during sex

· Identifies children/students using sexual slang terms

· Frequently visits places where children/students are present

· Loiters in places where children/students are nude, semi-nude or can be viewed without notice, such as, bathrooms and locker rooms

The final takeaway is informal and unstructured host home placements create risks for children.