News Summary
Florence, South Carolina, is in shock as former daycare worker Laurin B. Boyce, 73, faces serious child abuse charges at Maranatha Christian School. Allegations include assaults on multiple children, raising concerns among parents about safety in educational spaces. Other staff members are also scrutinized for failing to report the incidents. As investigations unfold, parents grapple with fears for their children’s safety, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability in childcare settings.
Child Abuse Allegations Rock Florence, South Carolina Preschool
Florence, South Carolina, is absorbing a shocking wave of allegations that have left the community reeling. A former daycare worker, Laurin B. Boyce, 73, has been charged with multiple offenses related to child abuse at Maranatha Christian School. The grim details of the alleged incidents are coming to light, sending chills down the spine of parents and guardians in the area.
A Troubling Case Unfolds
Boyce is facing serious charges, which include two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, as well as assault and battery high and aggravated and second-degree assault and battery. The charges stem from incidents that reportedly occurred on January 23 and January 30, 2025. The court proceedings have moved quickly, with Boyce’s bond denied after the judge viewed her as a danger to the community.
Details from the incidents are disturbing. On January 23, it is alleged that Boyce behaved in a shocking manner by slamming a child’s head into a crib, subsequently covering their head with a blanket, and dragging them out of the room. Just a week later, on January 30, she reportedly knocked another child over in the playground, lifting them by their arm and leg before dropping them from waist height onto their head. These claims, if confirmed, paint a troubling picture of what might have occurred behind the walls of the school.
Additional Arrests
The fallout from this case extends beyond Boyce. Three other employees from Maranatha Christian School have also come under scrutiny. Dawn Denise Kirven, the school’s principal, Jessica Anngeline Elmore, and Pastor Lee B. Patrick have all been charged with failing to report child abuse or neglect.
Kirven, Elmore, and Patrick have since been released on a $6,000 bond but are now prohibited from exercising supervisory authority over children at the school. Their legal representatives stand firmly by their clients, asserting their belief in their innocence. They allege that the charges against their clients relate solely to the failure to report suspicions of child abuse rather than any direct involvement in harming children.
Education Professionals’ Duty to Protect
It is essential to note that in South Carolina, education professionals, including daycare workers and teachers, are considered mandated reporters. This means they have a legal and moral obligation to report any known or suspected child abuse. The failure of the school staff to report the alleged incidents has raised serious questions about their adherence to these critical laws designed to protect the well-being of children.
Ongoing Investigations
As the investigation continues, there has been little released regarding the current condition or age of the children involved in this case. The community is left wondering about the safety and security of its youngest members as they await further updates.
This is not just a legal matter but also a community crisis impacting countless families. Parents find themselves grappling with concerns over the safety of their children in a place that should be home to laughter and learning. The shocking nature of the allegations has created ripples throughout Florence County, prompting discussions around child safety and the responsibilities of caregivers in educational settings.
As this heart-wrenching story unfolds, many in Florence are left hoping that justice will prevail, and those who are supposed to protect our children will be held accountable for their actions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Hazing Investigation Engulfs Henry School District Football Team
Child Abuse Charges Shake Florence Community
Florence County, SC Faces Winter Weather Challenges and Fuel Spill Incident
Child Abuse Investigation at Florence County Day Care
North Charleston Man Faces Serious Criminal Charges
Tragic Head-On Collision in Florence County Claims Life
Tragic Head-On Collision Claims Two Lives in Florence County
Tragic Road Accidents in Florence County Claim Three Lives
Community Shocked as Four Charged with Child Abuse at Local School
Florence County Community Reacts to Child Abuse Allegations
Additional Resources
- WPDE: Second Bond Hearing Set for Former Florence School Worker
- ABC News 4: Pastor Charged in Child Abuse Case
- WBTW: 4 Jailed in Child Abuse Investigation
- Post and Courier: Maranatha Christian School Arrests in Child Abuse Case
- WISTV: Bond Denied for Daycare Worker Charged with Child Abuse
- Wikipedia: Child Abuse
- Google Search: Child Abuse Safety Laws
- Google Scholar: Child Abuse Reporting Laws
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
- Google News: Florence South Carolina Child Abuse
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
