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A South Carolina youth pastor has been charged after allegedly filming several women and girls as young as 14 showering or using the restroom, including at church.
Daniel Kellan Mayfield, 35, who had been a youth pastor at Gowensville Baptist Church in Landrum since 2016, was arrested in Boiling Springs and charged last week with five counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of voyeurism, according to local authorities . WCSC.
Deputies from the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office said Mayfield admitted to recording a woman showering at her mother’s home on May 27, the outlet said.
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Daniel Kellan Mayfield, 35, who was a youth pastor at Gowensville Baptist Church in Landrum, was arrested last week and charged with five counts of first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of voyeurism. (Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office)
The woman and her sister reportedly found the pastor alone in the backyard after she saw a light outside the bathroom window, according to an incident report.
After looking into his phone, investigators reportedly identified at least five more victims, some of whom were reportedly filmed in the church bathroom, according to FOX Carolina. Mayfield is accused of setting up a camera there and filming girls as young as 14 on at least three occasions, through July 2022.
“You would never think that someone you know – that’s like a family, because that’s what our church is, it’s like a family – you would never think that something so devastating would happen in that small circle of people,” Isabella Godfry , a member of the Church, told WYFF News 4.
Daniel Kellan Mayfield, 35, admitted to filming a woman showering in her mother’s bathroom, deputies said. (Greenville County Sheriff’s Office)
“I’m concerned about my wife and my daughters being on that camera,” Benjamin Green, another church member, told the local WJBF.
First Baptist Gowensville confirmed to the local outlet that Mayfield was a student pastor at the church, but was fired after his arrest. A magistrate denied him bail, and according to the outlet, he must appear in court again within 30 days. Deputies said Mayfield likely acted alone and that church leadership was unaware of his alleged activities.
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“On May 27, 2023, the leadership of First Baptist Gowensville was notified of an incident of moral misconduct committed by one of our employees,” the church said in a statement.
“The appropriate authorities were immediately notified and the employee was relieved of his duties. Due to the nature of the investigation, FBC Gowensville is referring all inquiries to appropriate law enforcement agencies.”
“We remain committed to providing a safe environment for worship and will always be vigilant in protecting all individuals involved in our events,” the church added.
Daniel Kellan Mayfield was fired from his role as student pastor at First Baptist Gowensville in Landrum after his arrest. (Google Maps)
Kent Smith, who took up an associate pastor position at First Baptist Gowensville in June 2022, told the Christian Post that the church severed all ties with Mayfield the day they learned of the allegations and that the congregation is “appalled.”
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“I don’t know him as well as everyone else who’s been here for years, but that’s it. (Shock). When you know someone like that for years, that’s people’s reaction,” Smith told the outlet.
Jon Brown is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to jon.brown@fox.com.
