A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped and impregnated while she was living with the family of a Mississippi pastor.
The pastor’s adult son is now facing statutory rape, sexual battery and human trafficking charges. His mother — the pastor’s wife — is accused of trying to help conceal evidence and permitting the alleged abuse to continue.
And the girl’s biological mother has been arrested too.
There is no respectable way to soften what authorities say happened to this child.
The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department says it received a law-enforcement referral from Mississippi child-protection officials on June 30. An anonymous person had reported that a 14-year-old girl was pregnant, and investigators opened a case immediately.
On July 17, deputies arrested 27-year-old Dawson James Brown. He was charged with one count of statutory rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of human trafficking.
His mother, 54-year-old Sabrina Brown, was arrested that same day. Her felony charges include conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, attempted tampering with physical evidence and child neglect.
The sheriff’s office has asked the public to protect the girl’s identity. Investigators say the case remains active, credible information should be reported to the department, and additional arrests remain possible.
WLOX’s review of court records adds a sickening layer of detail. The sheriff’s office confirmed that Sabrina is the wife of a pastor at New Heights/College Heights Baptist Church in Poplarville and that Dawson is their son.
Authorities say the girl was living with the Brown family when Dawson allegedly raped her. Investigators believe she became pregnant in October or November 2025, when she was 13 years old.
A search of Dawson’s phone allegedly uncovered multiple images and videos documenting the abuse. Court filings also describe electronic messages about the pregnancy that identified Dawson as the father.
Investigators accuse Sabrina of instructing the girl to fabricate and submit false DNA-related information. Messages between mother and son allegedly showed an effort to coerce and direct the child into giving investigators that false account.
The case widened again Tuesday night when deputies arrested the girl’s biological mother, 32-year-old Kendrell Bowden.
Bowden is charged with felony human trafficking and felony contributing to the neglect or delinquency of a child.
According to the court affidavit, Bowden initially told investigators that her daughter would not identify the baby’s father. She later allegedly acknowledged that Dawson had admitted paternity to her and that she had personal knowledge of his sexual relationship with her daughter.
The affidavit says Bowden still allowed Dawson to have access to the girl and never reported the alleged relationship to authorities. She also allegedly accepted money, use of a vehicle, a trip to a college sporting event and other favors from Dawson.
Investigators say Dawson once messaged Bowden to ask whether she thought he needed to leave the country. She also allegedly told deputies she was willing to let her daughter travel with him to Alabama.
Dawson was denied bond after a judge deemed him a flight risk. Sabrina posted a $10,000 bond, while Bowden’s two bonds were set at $150,000 and $10,000.
The sheriff’s office has announced no charges against the pastor or the church.
The defendants are entitled to due process. The child at the center of this case is entitled to privacy, care and a justice system willing to follow every credible lead.
A church title offers no immunity. It makes the duty to protect the vulnerable more solemn, and the alleged betrayal more shameful.
If prosecutors prove these accusations, every adult who knowingly enabled the abuse, accepted favors or tried to bury evidence must answer for it.
May this girl finally be surrounded by adults who protect her.
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[ H/T WLT Report ]
