A pastor’s wife and her adult son were arrested and are facing numerous felony charges after it was discovered that the son impregnated a 13-year-old girl, with online claims that the church may have held a baby shower for her.
According to the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department, they received a report from the Department of Child Protection Services (MDCPS) regarding a 14-year-old girl who was pregnant and living with the pastor’s family.
Following an investigation, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office arrested Dawson James Brown, 27, on one count of Statutory Rape, two counts of Sexual Battery, and one count of Human Trafficking.
During his detainment, investigators searched his phone and found multiple images and videos of Brown and his victim having sex, as well as text messages between the two and others identifying Dawson as the father.
He is being held without bond after investigators found text messages asking whether he should flee the country.
Furthermore, Brown’s mother, Sabrina Brown, 54, whose husband is the pastor of New Heights/College Heights Baptist Church in Poplarville, was also arrested.
Court documents, show she knew her son was the father and “attempted to coerce, direct and instruct” the girl on how to submit a false DNA sample to investigators. She faces felony arrest warrants for Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Evidence, Attempted Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Felony Child Neglect (knowing a child is being sexually abused and permitting it to continue)..
Lastly, the girl’s biological mother, Kendrell Bowden, 32, was also arrested and charged with Felony Human Trafficking and Felony Contributing to Neglect or Delinquency of a Child.
Investigators determined that she knew Dawson was the father and that he was having a sexual relationship with her daughter, but that he was giving her money, gifts, and doing favors in exchange for her silence.
PRCSO Chief Deputy Freddy Drennan told WLOX that they are also investigating online claims that the church held a baby shower for the girl, saying, “We’ve heard that and we are working to verify the facts. That is part of what we are looking into.”
