News Summary
Parents of a child involved in a serious abuse investigation have filed a lawsuit against Maranatha Christian School and affiliated parties. The suit follows criminal charges against multiple individuals connected to the institution, including allegations of failing to report child abuse. It highlights a troubling pattern of neglect and concealment of abusive behavior by school officials. The lawsuit raises serious questions about the school’s accountability in protecting its students as court proceedings commence.
Florence, S.C. – A lawsuit has been filed against Maranatha Christian School by the parents of a child involved in a child abuse investigation at the institution. The suit, initiated by attorneys Robert F. Goings and Morgan Y. Drapeau from the Goings Law Firm in Darlington County, names multiple defendants, including Maranatha Christian School, Maranatha Childcare Center, First Free Will Baptist Church of Florence, and several individuals associated with the school.
The lawsuit follows recent criminal developments involving four individuals tied to the school. In February, Laurin Boyce, 73, was arrested and charged with two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, and second-degree assault and battery. Jessica Elmore, 32, the Childcare Development Director, and Dawn Kirven, 51, the school principal, both face charges for failing to report child abuse or neglect. Lee Patrick, 49, the pastor and senior officer of the church, is also charged with failing to report abuse and criminal conspiracy.
Boyce has since pled guilty to two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child and will serve concurrent 90-day sentences, having received credit for time served. Investigative reports reveal that on January 23, Boyce assaulted a child by slamming the child’s head into a crib and later, on January 30, knocked a child down on the playground. The lawsuit claims Boyce has committed multiple acts of neglect and abuse towards children since 2011.
Evidence gathered from the church indicates that over 20 documented incidents of abuse, assault, or neglect by Boyce were concealed from parents, social workers, and law enforcement. The parents of the child are suing for negligence, civil conspiracy, assault and battery, outrage, and negligent hiring, retention, training, and supervision. They are seeking a jury trial along with actual and punitive damages.
The lawsuit further asserts that school officials fostered a culture of concealing child abuse and violating mandatory reporting requirements. In one instance, an employee witnessed Boyce assaulting a 20-month-old girl and reported the incident to Elmore, Kirven, and Patrick, yet no actions were taken. When parents sought to review surveillance footage of the incident, the principal provided a manipulated version of the video, highlighting the administration’s alleged attempts to cover up the abuse. The unedited video eventually shown to the parents corroborated the abuse claims.
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office instigated an investigation following the parents’ report, uncovering a troubling pattern of neglect wherein Boyce remained employed despite numerous incidents occurring over several years without any disciplinary action taken against him.
Legal representatives for Elmore, Kirven, and Patrick maintain that their clients are only facing charges for failing to report child abuse, and have not been accused of direct abuse. Currently, Lee Patrick is permitted to preach at the church on Sundays but cannot engage in any school-related duties due to restrictions set by his bond agreement. All charges against Patrick, Elmore, and Kirven are pending, with initial court appearances scheduled for April 2.
This lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the ongoing abuse scandal tied to Maranatha Christian School and raises serious questions regarding the accountability of its leadership in protecting students from harm. As the investigation unfolds and court proceedings begin, the focus remains on the welfare of the children involved and the implications for the school and its governing bodies.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Maranatha Christian School Lawsuit
- Google Search: Maranatha Christian School child abuse lawsuit
- WMBFNews: Florence County Private School Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Child abuse
- ABC News: Pastor Child Abuse Case
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child abuse
- Ministry Watch: SC Christian School Abuse Arrests
- Google News: Maranatha Christian School child abuse
- WBTW: Lawsuit Alleges Abuse Neglect at School
- Google Scholar: Child abuse and neglect
