Church Child Endangerment
Pawleys Island Church Director Arrested, Accused of Child Endangerment with Sex Offender Volunteer
South Carolina police have arrested Michael Anthony Fields, the director of operations and missions at Pawleys Island Community Church, for allegedly letting a convicted sex offender volunteer on campus with children for years, according to KY3. The sex offender, identified as Warren Perry, was given access to the church grounds despite his criminal record.
Fields also served as the person responsible for campus security and student safety at Pawleys Island Christian Academy, a school connected to the church. He now faces a charge of unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing a child harm, WIBW reported.
Three Other Church Members Also Arrested
Fields is not the only person arrested in connection with this case. Three other church figures have also been charged, according to Fox 8 Live. Former senior pastor Don Williams, church administrator Ginny Williams, and former Pawleys Island Christian Academy director Jennifer 'Niki' Howard were all taken into custody.
The arrests suggest investigators believe multiple people at the church knew about Perry's presence on campus. It is not yet clear what specific charges each person faces. The investigation is still ongoing, WVVA reported.
Who Is Warren Perry and What Was His Role
Warren Perry is a convicted sex offender who was allegedly allowed to volunteer at the church for years. Church director Fields was in charge of security and was responsible for keeping children safe on campus. Investigators say he failed that duty by giving Perry access to the grounds where children were present, according to WLBT.
It is not yet public exactly what Perry's volunteer role involved or how long he was active on campus. Authorities have not specified how many children may have had contact with him. The nature of any potential harm to children is part of the ongoing investigation, KWTX noted.
Multiple State Agencies Joining the Investigation
This case involves several powerful law enforcement agencies. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the South Carolina Attorney General's Office are all working together on the probe, according to WLOX.
The involvement of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force hints that the investigation may extend beyond the physical campus. Investigators have not yet said whether digital evidence plays a role. Authorities have described the investigation as ongoing and have not ruled out additional arrests, WOWT reported.
Church Served Both as Worship Site and School
Pawleys Island Community Church is not just a place of worship. It also operates Pawleys Island Christian Academy, a school for children. Fields held dual roles — overseeing church operations and missions while also being responsible for the safety of students at the academy, according to AZ Family.
That dual responsibility makes the alleged failure even more serious. The person tasked with keeping children safe is accused of doing the opposite. Families connected to the church and school are likely waiting for more details as investigators continue their work, 13ABC reported.
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