By PSA Newsroom Staff
Florence, S.C.– A legal resolution has been reached in the criminal proceedings involving a pastor and the principal of Maranatha Christian School in Florence, South Carolina, though critical questions about accountability and institutional oversight remain as a related civil lawsuit moves forward.
Officials with the Twelfth Circuit Solicitor’s Office confirmed that a resolution is in place in the case against Pastor Lee Patrick and Dr. Dawn Kirven, who had been charged with failing to report child abuse and criminal conspiracy in connection with a high-profile child abuse investigation at the private K-12 school and daycare. The office would not outline the terms of that resolution, which are expected to become public through court filings.
The resolution follows an investigation by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office into abuse allegations involving former daycare worker Laurin Boyce, who pleaded guilty in 2025 to two counts of unlawful conduct toward a child and received a 90-day jail sentence, credited for time served.
Criminal Case Background
In early 2025 deputies arrested Boyce and three Maranatha staff members after uncovering video evidence showing Boyce physically assaulting young children, including repeatedly slamming a child’s head into a crib and striking another child on a playground.
Authorities allege that Kirven, Patrick and former childcare director Jessica Elmore were informed of the abuse but did not report it to law enforcement as required under South Carolina mandatory reporting laws for teachers, childcare workers and clergy. Charges against Elmore were later dropped; Kirven and Patrick’s case was resolved through the recent legal agreement.
Civil Lawsuit Alleges Long-Term Concealment
Separately, parents of a child involved in the abuse investigation filed a civil lawsuit in Darlington County Common Pleas Court in May 2025 alleging widespread negligence and concealment by the school and its leadership.
Filed on behalf of Austin and Carrie Royal, the complaint contends that the school, its childcare center and the affiliated First Free Will Baptist Church of Florence — which operates Maranatha — created a “systemic culture of concealing child abuse” and repeatedly failed to follow mandatory reporting requirements.
The lawsuit alleges that on January 23, 2025, an employee witnessed Boyce physically assault their 20-month-old daughter and that school leaders took no action, prompting the employee to notify the child’s parents and ultimately law enforcement. Court filings and associated evidence reportedly include undisclosed internal records showing more than 20 documented incidents of abuse, neglect or assault by Boyce dating back to 2011, which the lawsuit claims the school knew about but failed to address.
The complaint accuses the defendants of negligence, negligent hiring and training, negligent supervision, civil conspiracy and violations of mandatory reporting laws. The Royals are seeking actual, consequential and punitive damages and have demanded a jury trial.
Responses and Next Steps
Maranatha Christian School and First Free Will Baptist Church have issued only limited statements, saying they cannot comment on specifics “upon the advice of counsel” and requesting prayers as they navigate the legal matters.
While the recent resolution brings closure to the criminal charges against Kirven and Patrick, the civil lawsuit continues to unfold. It has drawn attention to institutional oversight and child safety at private faith-based schools and raised questions about how long patterns of alleged misconduct may have gone unchecked.
No public schedule has been set yet for upcoming civil proceedings. Additional filings and hearings in court are expected to shed further light on the scope of alleged concealment and potential liability.
