DOTHAN, Ala. – John Gibson, an associate pastor formerly with First Baptist Church of Dothan, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, after allegedly leaving a young child alone in an SUV while he consumed alcohol at a bar.
According to police reports, eyewitnesses said Gibson left the child, who is under 5 years old, unattended in the vehicle late Saturday into early Sunday. Gibson reportedly then drove the SUV across the parking lot to a 24-hour restaurant, where he went inside to eat, again leaving the child alone in the car.
When officers arrived at the restaurant, they took Gibson into custody. First responders confirmed that the child appeared unharmed. The Alabama Department of Human Resources took the child into protective custody until other family members arrived.
Following Gibson’s arrest, First Baptist Church of Dothan announced that it has parted ways with him. The church emphasized that the incident occurred during his personal time and did not involve any students or children in their ministry.
“This incident occurred on the staff member’s personal time and in no way involved any of the students or children who participate in our student ministry,” the church said in a statement. “First Baptist Church of Dothan takes very seriously our responsibility as followers of Christ to obey the law and promote the safety.”
The church also thanked Dothan police for their prompt and professional response to the situation.
