Pastor Charged with Endangering Child After Leaving 5-Year-Old Unattended at Bar

An Alabama associate pastor is facing criminal charges after allegedly leaving a five-year-old child unattended in his vehicle while he consumed alcohol at a bar late into the early morning hours.

Dothan Police Department officials confirmed that John Gibson was charged with endangering the welfare of a child following the weekend incident.

According to Lt. Scott Owens, Gibson placed the child inside his SUV before leaving for the bar and remained absent until police intervened Sunday morning.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources took the child into custody, though the duration of the child’s time alone in the vehicle was unknown at the time of police arrival.

The First Baptist Church of Dothan issued a statement confirming Gibson’s role as an associate pastor and reported that they have distanced themselves from him due to the arrest.

The church clarified the incident occurred during Gibson’s personal time and did not involve any church activities or children in its ministry programs.

The child’s relationship to Gibson was not disclosed by USA TODAY to protect their identity. Gibson is currently free on a $500 bond.

The pastor’s legal counsel status is not yet known, and Lt. Owens was unavailable for further immediate comment.

(Proverbs 22:29) (Micah 6:8)

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