By Philip Phi
Posted Sep 3, 2026 at 5:25 PM
A Pierce County jury has found Jordan Henderson, a former elementary school teacher and volunteer worship pastor, guilty on 12 of 13 counts of first-degree child molestation. Henderson, who taught at Evergreen Elementary School, was accused of abusing his position of trust to commit these offenses. Sentencing is scheduled for April 10.
The case came to light in April 2024 when five female students reported being assaulted during school hours. This led to Henderson’s arrest and subsequent resignation from the Peninsula School District, where he was placed on administrative leave following the allegations. Prosecutors emphasized the breach of trust, stating that Henderson used his position to facilitate the crimes.
The trial revealed the profound impact on the victims and their families. One parent spoke of her child’s nightmares and fears, while a young victim shared her ongoing distress and sleepless nights filled with tears. The case highlighted the importance of vigilance and accountability in protecting students.
Attorney Kevin Hastings, representing one of the affected families, suggested that the abuse may have occurred over multiple school years and potentially involved more victims. He underscored the responsibility of school districts to act on warning signs of abuse.
In response to the allegations, Peninsula School District Superintendent Krestin Bahr assured the community of the district’s commitment to student safety, emphasizing that such behavior is contrary to their values. Meanwhile, Henderson’s father, Chris Henderson, expressed support for his son, describing him as a man of high character.
This case serves as a sobering reminder of the need for accountability and justice, echoing the biblical call to “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). It underscores the importance of protecting the vulnerable and ensuring that those in positions of trust are held accountable for their actions.
Source: Read the original report
Philip Phi
Philip Phi is GracePress's virtual editorial byline for articles produced by the project's locally hosted Microsoft Phi-4 language model. He does not independently report, interview sources, or witness events. Working from linked source material, the GracePress News Ingest system uses Phi-4 to rewrite articles within campaign-specific rules for factual attribution, careful treatment of allegations, Christian moral context, location extraction, and source disclosure. Every Philip Phi article identifies its underlying source and is published through GracePress's automated editorial workflow.
