A Mississippi community is shaken after prosecutors say the son of a pastor and two women — including the alleged victim’s mother — were involved in a troubling effort to conceal the pregnancy of a 14-year-old rape victim. The alleged cover-up included efforts to falsify DNA information and, according to reports, claims that a baby shower was held for the teen.
Dawson Brown, 27, faces one count of statutory rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of human trafficking after he allegedly assaulted and impregnated the girl when she was 13, WLOX reported.
In Poplarville, online rumors have focused on claims that College Heights Baptist Church hosted a baby shower for the alleged victim, who had been living with the Brown family, according to the Daily Mail. The church has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Investigators are still working to determine whether the reported baby shower actually took place.
Court records obtained by WLOX state that law enforcement recovered multiple images and videos allegedly showing Brown raping the teen.
Brown’s mother, 54-year-old Sabrina Brown, was charged with conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, attempted tampering with physical evidence and child neglect. Authorities allege she “attempted to coerce, direct and instruct” the girl to provide false information about Dawson Brown’s DNA, WLOX reported.
The teenager’s mother, Kendrell Bowden, 32, was also charged in connection with the alleged abuse, according to the Daily Mail.
Bowden initially told investigators she knew about her daughter’s pregnancy after the teen asked to move back home but refused to identify the father, the outlet reported.
Dawson later admitted to her that he is the father. Court documents state he provided her with money, use of his vehicle, tickets to sporting events and other favors.
Police reviewed text messages between the Browns and Bowden, allegedly discussing the teen and her pregnancy.
One such message sent from Dawson to Bowden discussed whether he should flee the country.
In a second interview with investigators, she admitted that she had “personal knowledge” of a sexual relationship between Dawson and her daughter, but did not alert authorities because “she was scared,” according to court documents.
Bowden was arrested on Tuesday and charged with human trafficking and contributing to the neglect or delinquency of a child.
“We are asking the public to respect the victim’s privacy and not share or release the juvenile’s identity,” the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office said Friday in a Facebook post.
Sabrina Brown has been released after posting a $10,000 bond, while Kendrell Bowden remains in custody on a combined $160,000 bond for human trafficking and child neglect ($150,000 for human trafficking and $10,000 for child neglect).
Dawson Brown was denied bond at a recent court hearing as he is a flight risk.
