Florida Pastor Arrested After Allegedly Sexually Abusing 14-Year-Old Boy Met on Dating App

Florida authorities arrested a pastor after investigating allegations of sexual abuse against a 14-year-old boy he met on a dating app. Timothy Chaneyfield, the pastor at St. James United American Free Will Baptist Church in Winter Haven, was taken into custody following a tip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the investigation began after receiving a cyber tip from Instagram indicating inappropriate communication between an adult and a child.
Detectives traced the online exchanges to Chaneyfield and the minor, who first connected through a dating app before shifting their conversations to Instagram. The investigation revealed that Chaneyfield and the boy met in person three times, with the encounters occurring outside Chaneyfield’s neighborhood subdivision. The pastor allegedly took the boy to his home, where they engaged in sexual activity. Chaneyfield reportedly told the boy he intended to continue the relationship and mentioned his upcoming trip to Baltimore for work.
Chaneyfield’s travel plans were tied to his role as a chaplain for Compassionate Care Hospice, where he was scheduled to preside over a funeral. Authorities obtained an arrest warrant during this trip and apprehended Chaneyfield upon his return to Orlando International Airport on July 29. While in custody, Chaneyfield admitted to engaging in sexual activity with the minor. He was transferred to the Polk County Jail on August 1.
The case took a significant turn when another alleged victim came forward, claiming sexual contact with Chaneyfield prior to the pastor’s disclosure of his HIV-positive status. Detectives noted that Chaneyfield did not inform either the adult or the 14-year-old about his HIV status before engaging in sexual activity with them. During a press conference, Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized efforts to provide the minor with an “HIV cocktail” to prevent infection, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Chaneyfield faces multiple charges, including lewd battery involving a minor, interfering with the custody of a minor, and traveling to meet a minor. The legal proceedings will determine the full extent of his accountability. As the community grapples with the implications of this case, the call for justice and protection of vulnerable individuals remains paramount. Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us to speak up for those who cannot defend themselves, a principle that must guide both the legal process and the collective response to such abuse.

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