A pastor and his wife from South Carolina have been taken into custody following allegations of sexual abuse reported by a foster child, authorities have confirmed.
The couple, Rodney Gibson and Kawiana Young, both 50 years old, face charges of unlawful conduct with a minor, as stated by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, according to a report from WIS News 10.
In addition to this charge, Gibson is facing numerous other accusations, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, unlawful conduct toward a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The troubling allegations emerged last month when a victim approached authorities, claiming to have suffered sexual abuse while under the foster care of the couple, as detailed by the deputies in the report.
Gibson allegedly sexually assaulted the victim multiple times, beginning when the victim was 15 years old and continuing until they left the foster care system upon reaching adulthood.
Gibson is accused of sexually assaulting the victim on several occasions, starting at age 15 until they aged out of the foster care system.
Investigators learned that a minor was living with Gibson and Young.
The child told investigators they had been sexually abused by Gibson and physically abused by Young. The minor was then moved to emergency protective custody.
A victim came forward to report alleged sexual abuse endured while in foster care at the couple’s home. (Richland County Sheriff’s Department)
During an emergency protective custody hearing on March 20, a family court judge ordered the minor to be returned to Gibson and Young’s home.
After investigators conducted subsequent interviews and obtained additional evidence, arrest warrants were obtained. Gibson and Young were arrested on April 1 and the minor was placed back into emergency protective custody.
Gibson and Young were released on bond on April 2.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services said in a statement that Young was a licensed foster parent from June 2021 until June 2025, adding that she fostered six children in her home, but voluntarily relinquished her foster parent license.
The agency said Young failed to mention that Gibson was living at the home, and his name was not on the license. The agency said Young never reported that she was married and said she was not in a relationship.
A child told investigators they had been sexually abused by Rodney Gibson and physically abused by Kawiana Young. (Richland County Sheriff’s Department)
The agency said it was cooperating in the investigation.
Authorities believe there may be more victims and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Gibson is a pastor at Pathway 2 Hope Ministries, while Young owns and operates DreamCatcher Child Development Center.
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