How Could You? Hall of Shame-Rodney Gibson and Kawiana Young UPDATED

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Richland County, South Carolina, pastor and foster parent, Rodney Young and his wife Kawiana, “have been arrested in connection with crimes against children following an investigation into abuse in foster care, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.

Rodney Gibson, 50, and Kawiana Young, 50, were arrested Wednesday by the RCSD Fugitive Task Force, according to Sheriff Leon Lott.

Investigators said the case began on March 12 when a victim reported sexual abuse while in foster care in the home of Gibson and Young.

The victim said Gibson sexually assaulted her repeatedly beginning at age 15 until she aged out of foster care.

Investigators later learned a child was living in the home and received allegations of physical abuse involving Young, authorities said.

The child was placed into emergency protective custody on March 18, then returned home after a March 20 hearing in Family Court.

Investigators had arrest warrants for both suspects after more interviews and collecting evidence, officials said. The child was again placed into emergency protective custody after the arrest.

Gibson faces charges including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, unlawful conduct toward a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Authorities charged Young with unlawful conduct toward a minor.

Gibson was released on a $75,000 surety bond, and Young was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond, authorities said.

Gibson is a pastor with Pathway 2 Hope Ministries, and Young owns and operates DreamCatcher Child Development Center, investigators said. Their positions placed them close to other children.”

Sheriff: Richland County pastor, wife arrested in child abuse case
[WACH 4/7/26 by Alyse Rhue]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“Federal court records show Gibson, 50, served more than 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to federal drug and gun charges in 2009. His prison sentence was reduced to 32 years in 2015 and to 17 years in 2017.

Records also show Gibson filed to have his sentence reduced again in June 2020, claiming errors in the sentencing process. Then, in January 2021, Gibson was one of several people whose prison sentences were commuted by President Donald Trump on the final day of his first term. Gibson was released in May that year, but remained under the previously imposed supervision.“

Pastor accused of sexually abusing foster child had prior prison sentence commuted by Trump
[WFSB 4/10/26 by Michael Owens, Madison Dobrzenski]