COLUMBIA, SC — A local pastor and his wife, a daycare operator, have been arrested in connection with alleged crimes against children, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies said Rodney Gibson, 50, and Kawiana Young, 50, were taken into custody following an investigation that began March 12, 2026, after a victim reported sexual abuse while in foster care at their home.
Investigators said the victim reported that Gibson sexually assaulted her numerous times beginning at age 15 and continuing until she aged out of foster care as an adult.
During the investigation, deputies learned that a minor child was currently living in the home. Authorities said they also uncovered allegations of physical abuse by Young against that child.
The child was first taken into Emergency Protective Custody on March 18. A family court judge later returned the child to the home following a March 20 hearing.
After additional interviews and evidence collection, investigators obtained warrants for both Gibson and Young. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Task Force arrested the pair on April 1.
Following the arrests, the minor child was again taken into emergency protective custody.
Neighbors near the 200 block of Fernview Drive said they noticed a large police presence in the area on April 1. Many say the arrests were surprising for the normally quiet neighborhood.
“This is a good neighborhood. We really don’t get that out here, so when you see all those police cars, everybody is going to be looking and seeing what’s going on,” said northeast Columbia resident Norris Canady.
Canady, who has four children, said the situation has made him more cautious about letting them play outside.
I got to keep looking out the window and make sure they stay in the yard and keep my eyes on them,” he said.
Gibson is charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct, second degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor, unlawful conduct towards a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Young is charged with unlawful conduct towards a minor.
Both were taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. Gibson was later released on a $75,000 surety bond, and Young was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond on April 2.
Officials said Gibson is a pastor with Pathway 2 Hope Ministries and Young owns and operates DreamCatcher Child Development Center.
The ministries has been renting an event center in northeast Columbia for Sunday services over the past, according to the property owner. The property owner said she was not made aware of the arrests prior to today.
It is currently unclear how many children attend Young’s daycare or whether parents have been notified about the charges against her.
The South Carolina Department of Social Services confirmed that Young was previously licensed as a foster parent in the state from June 30, 2021, through June 5, 2025. During that time, placement records show she cared for six children in her home through the South Carolina Youth Advocate Program.
DSS said Young voluntarily relinquished her foster parent license in June 2025.
According to DSS, Gibson was not listed on the foster home license and there was no mention of him living in the home during the time Young was licensed. DSS records also indicated that Young reported she was not married and was not in a relationship while serving as a foster parent.
According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Gibson also has a prior conviction in Fairfield County from 1999 for possession of cocaine.
Because of their roles, authorities said both had proximity to other children and are asking anyone with information about potential additional victims to call 911 to report it or submit a tip anonymously to CrimeStoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC.
Deputies say both had proximity to other children and are asking anyone with information about potential additional victims to come forward.
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