A 27-year-old Mississippi man who is the son of a Baptist pastor has been arrested and charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl who was living under the same roof as his family — abuse that allegedly began when the child was just 13 years old and resulted in her pregnancy. Making the case even more disturbing, investigators say the man’s own mother actively tried to sabotage the police investigation by coaching the young victim to submit falsified DNA evidence to authorities.
Both the son and his mother now face serious felony charges, and investigators have signaled that more arrests could follow as the case continues to unfold.
The Accused
Dawson James Brown, 27, is the son of the pastor of New Heights/College Heights Baptist Church in Poplarville, Mississippi. He was taken into custody last week by the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office and charged with:
- One count of statutory rape
- One count of human trafficking
- Two counts of sexual battery
His mother, Sabrina Brown, 54, the wife of the pastor, was also arrested and charged with:
- Conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence
- Attempted tampering with physical evidence
- Child neglect
How the Case Came to Light
The investigation began on or around June 30, 2026, when the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office received a referral from the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services. An anonymous complaint had been filed reporting that a 14-year-old girl was pregnant, which triggered an immediate child protection referral and a formal criminal investigation by sheriff’s detectives.
Authorities have not publicly named the juvenile victim and have urged members of the public not to share any information that could lead to the identification of the child.
What Investigators Found
The teenage girl had been living with the Brown family at the time the alleged abuse took place. Investigators believe the abuse began when the victim was still only 13 years old, with the pregnancy traced back to October or November 2025.
When detectives searched Dawson Brown’s iPhone, they allegedly discovered a significant amount of damning evidence — including multiple images and videos that depicted him and the juvenile victim engaged in sexual acts. Electronic communications found on his phone also reportedly discussed the girl’s pregnancy directly and identified Brown as the father of her unborn child.
The victim’s own mother cooperated with investigators and told them that Dawson Brown had personally admitted to being the father of the baby. She also revealed to investigators that she had received money and other favors from Brown, a detail that authorities have included in their case documents.
The Mother’s Alleged Cover-Up
Perhaps one of the most troubling aspects of this case is the alleged role played by Sabrina Brown, the suspect’s mother and the pastor’s wife. After learning that law enforcement had launched an investigation into the pregnancy, Sabrina Brown allegedly took deliberate steps to interfere with and derail that investigation.
According to court documents, Sabrina Brown personally instructed the teenage victim on how to fabricate a false DNA-related document and submit it to investigators in place of legitimate evidence. Detectives say they recovered a series of text messages that clearly show Sabrina Brown attempting to coach, direct, and pressure the girl regarding what DNA-related information she should provide to law enforcement. Prosecutors allege this was a calculated effort to mislead investigators and protect her son from criminal accountability.
Court Proceedings and Current Status
Following her arrest, Sabrina Brown was able to post a $10,000 bond and has since been released from custody while she awaits further court proceedings.
Dawson Brown, however, was not granted bond. A judge reviewed his case and determined that he poses a significant flight risk, ordering him held in custody without bond. It was not immediately confirmed when his next scheduled court appearance would take place.
Investigation Ongoing
The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation into this case remains active and ongoing. Authorities stated explicitly that additional arrests are possible as detectives continue to build and expand their case. The agency has asked anyone with relevant information to come forward while also urging the public to refrain from sharing any details that could compromise the identity or safety of the minor victim.
The church where Dawson Brown’s father serves as pastor — New Heights/College Heights Baptist Church in Poplarville — has not yet issued any public statement regarding the arrests of two of its congregants.
