NewSpring Church Volunteer Faces New Sexual Assault Charges After Surveillance Footage Reveals Multiple Incidents

NewSpring Church in North Charleston faces new allegations of failing to protect minors after a volunteer was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing multiple boys. Police arrested Jacop Hazlett, 28, following surveillance footage that showed him performing oral sex on a 3-year-old boy in a classroom bathroom. The incident occurred on Sunday, according to CBS 17.

A lawsuit filed by the parents of another boy alleges that NewSpring Church reviewed its security camera footage and identified 14 separate incidents of sexual abuse by Hazlett in the daycare room bathroom. The attorney representing the family, Josh Slavin, stated that the church’s live monitoring system allowed them to detect the abuse quickly, suggesting there may be more victims yet to be identified.

Hazlett had been volunteering at the church’s daycare center since March. The lawsuit claims the church did not monitor the daycare appropriately, noting that Hazlett was aware of the security camera and its ability to capture footage of the bathroom. The court filing states that NewSpring Church failed to ensure the safety of the children in their care.

Church officials informed parents of preschool students in a letter that they had recently learned of the assaults and reported Hazlett to police. The parents who filed the lawsuit learned of the assault on their son on Tuesday, according to court documents.

The lawsuit names both Hazlett and NewSpring Church Inc. as defendants, seeking unspecified damages. It highlights the church’s responsibility to safeguard minors and the importance of proper oversight in childcare settings. The case underscores the need for accountability and transparency in organizations that serve vulnerable populations.

The incident raises concerns about the safety of children in religious and educational environments. Proverbs 31:8-9 calls for defending the rights of the vulnerable, reminding us that justice and mercy should guide our actions. As communities seek to protect the innocent, the call to act with integrity and care remains urgent.

Source: Read the original report