A Richland County pastor and his wife have been taken into custody for child abuse, according to RCSD Sheriff Leon Lott.
On March 12, 2026, deputies were informed that a victim had come forward to report sexual abuse while in foster care at the household of Rodney Gibson and Kawiana Young.
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According to the sheriff’s department, the victim stated that Gibson sexually attacked her multiple times between the ages of 15 and the time she left foster care as an adult.
An investigation was opened, and investigators discovered that a minor child was now residing in the house of Gibson and his wife, Young.
When investigators learned of Young’s accusations of physical abuse against the minor child, they placed the child in immediate protective custody on March 18.
On March 20, a family court judge held an emergency protective custody hearing and returned the little kid to Gibson and Young’s home.
After conducting interviews and gathering additional evidence, investigators obtained warrants to arrest Gibson and Young.
On April 1, 2026, the RCSD Fugitive Task Force apprehended and detained Gibson and Young.
Investigators took the minor child into immediate protective care again after their arrests.
Gibson faced charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, unlawful conduct toward a minor, and contributing to a minor’s delinquency.
Young was accused with criminal conduct toward a juvenile.
Both of them were sent to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.
On April 2, 2026, Gibson was freed on a $75,000 surety bail, while Young was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond.
According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Gibson is a preacher with Pathway 2 Hope Ministries, and Young owns and operates the childcare facility DreamCatcher Child Development Center.
RCSD invites anybody with knowledge about other victims to call 911 or submit an anonymous tip to CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
