Resolution Reached for Pastor and Principal in Maranatha Christian School Case in Florence, South Carolina

Prosecutors charged three people connected to Maranatha Christian School in Florence County with offenses related to child abuse allegations. Lee B. Patrick, 49, a pastor, was charged with failing to report child abuse or neglect and criminal conspiracy on Feb. 10, according to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. Dawn Denise Kirven, 51, the school’s principal, was charged with failing to report child abuse or neglect and criminal conspiracy. Jessica Angeline Elmore, 32, was charged with two counts of failing to report child abuse or neglect. The charges stemmed from an investigation into allegations of misconduct at the school.

The three were released on a $6,000 bond each, but they are not allowed to go to the school under any circumstances. At a hearing on a Wednesday in Florence, Circuit Court Judge William Seales ruled on several requests from the three. He denied a motion for Patrick to preach on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, though Patrick may still preach Sunday mornings. Seales also denied requests by Kirven and Elmore to attend church services. He granted Elmore’s request to pick up and take her own children to the school.

Prosecutors told the court that they had obtained information indicating the school had a pattern of hiding certain types of incidents. That claim is part of the prosecution’s case as reported, and the reports do not describe any finding on it. Honest reporting of what happens in a school, and to whom it is reported, is central to protecting children, a concern that the allegation of hidden incidents brings into focus (Proverbs 11:1).

Later, officials from the Twelfth Circuit Solicitor’s Office confirmed that a resolution had been reached in the case and that the matter was concluded, according to ABC 15’s report. The officials did not disclose the terms, which they described as confidential. The reports do not state what the resolution was, and they do not say whether it affected the charges against Elmore.

Dr. Dawn Kirven and Pastor Lee Patrick were represented by Associate Attorney Shipp Daniel of Parham Law Firm. A statement from the firm was shared with ABC 15, but its content was not disclosed in the report.