Foster Parent Abuse Charges in South Carolina
A pastor and his wife in South Carolina have been accused of abusing their foster child, with allegations of both physical and sexual assaults that reportedly started when the child was just 15.
Rodney Gibson and Kawiana Young, both 50, are facing several charges concerning the alleged mistreatment of minors under their care in Columbia, South Carolina. Local authorities and news reports confirm that the Richland County Sheriff’s Department was alerted to the situation.
Gibson faces serious charges, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, unlawful conduct with a minor, and aiding and abetting the delinquency of a minor. Meanwhile, Young has been charged with unlawful conduct with a minor.
The Columbia area, situated about 90 miles south of Charlotte, has a population of around 800,000.
The investigation was initiated in early March after a victim reported sexual abuse by Gibson and physical abuse by Young at the couple’s nursing home, as noted by local media outlets.
While the victim’s gender remains unconfirmed by authorities, some reports have suggested that the victim is a woman.
The minor was initially taken into emergency protective custody on March 18. However, during a hearing on March 20, a family court judge decided to return the child to the custody of Gibson and Young.
Further interviews and evidence collection led investigators to secure arrest warrants for both suspects. Following their arrests, the minor was placed back into emergency custody.
Young had been a licensed foster parent from June 2021 until June 2025, according to the South Carolina Department of Social Services. Reports indicated that she was caring for six children but had voluntarily relinquished her foster parent status.
It’s noteworthy that records did not indicate that Gibson lived in the same household. Young had reportedly not disclosed her marital status to the Department of Social Services.
Gibson serves as a pastor at Pathway 2 Hope Ministries in Columbia, while Young operates the DreamCatcher Child Development Center.
Both were released from custody, with Gibson’s bail set at $75,000 and Young’s at $10,000.
