Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Pawleys Island Church over Sex Offender's Alleged Access to Children

Class action lawsuit filed against Pawleys Island church over sex offender's alleged access to children

GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) -- A class action lawsuit has been filed against a Pawleys Island church that has been the subject of recent scrutiny after a registered sex offender who volunteered there was arrested for allegedly violating his probation. The lawsuit names Pawleys Island Community Church and its school, Pawleys Island Christian Academy. It [...]

Georgetown County deputies continue investigation into sex offender who volunteered at church-run school

PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. (WBTW) -- A volunteer at Pawleys Island Community Church, 70-year-old registered sex offender Warren Perry, was recently removed from his role following the revelation that the church also operates a school. This development has triggered an active investigation by the Georgetown County Sheriff's Office and led to an emotional community meeting on [...]

Suit over sex offender at church school seeks over $25M in damages – Coastal Observer

A class action lawsuit seeking at least $25 million in damages from Pawleys Island Community Church and its Christian Academy was filed Friday, four days after a parent reported that a man on the sex offender registry was working as a custodian on the campus. Warren Spence Perry, 70, of Murrells Inlet was arrested Tuesday for violating the terms of his probation following his guilty plea in 2023 to a charge of third degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office. Perry was arrested in August of 2020 after an investigation prompted by a report from the national CyberTipline. He pleaded guilty and was placed on the registry in 2023. For the first nine months, he wore a GPS monitor and was to have no contact with children, according to court records. A parent of a child at the academy reported Monday that Perry was working as a volunteer at the church and school. The aunt of a teacher at the academy told a deputy that her niece had complained to the administration about having a sex offender working at the school, but was told that judging Perry was “not a Christian thing to do.” The aunt, who told deputies she wanted to remain anonymous, said students at the academy interacted with Perry, drawing pictures for him and giving him gifts. News of Perry’s arrest prompted a stormy meeting with parents and community members at the church as the Rev. Don Williams, its pastor, tried to explain how Perry came to be there, first as a worshiper beginning in 2020 and then as a volunteer. The parents, listed as John and Jane Doe, say in their lawsuit that it was “negligent, reckless, willful and wanton” hiring that led to Perry working on the campus for six years.  The church and school “intentionally failed to inform or advise the parents and guardians that the employee or volunteer was in fact an alcoholic and a known sex offender and intentionally placed their children in harm’s way by allowing the sex offender to have access to their children and to supervise activities which involved being in close proximity to their children with an opportunity to touch their children,” according to the filing. It says that there were “numerous touchings” of children by Perry, who is not referred to by name in the suit. After being confronted by parents, church and school officials “assumed an attitude of incredible arrogance in defending the sex offender over the interest of their children,” according to the suit. They also “attempted to defend their actions by using biblical quotes and references once again in complete disregard for the safety of their children.” The potential class of plaintiffs includes parents of students at the academy and any children who attended church activities where Perry was present. The church has a popular youth ministry and holds a week-long summer program of worship and games for children. The parents, represented by Sidney Connor of the firm of Kelaher, Connell & Connor, said they paid fees to the church or made significant contributions to the church. The church and school “completely disregarded their fiduciary duty and allowed a known sex offender access to their children despite hundreds of years of church history which would dictate to the contrary,” according to the suit. They seek actual and punitive damages in excess of $25 million. Georgetown County Sheriff Weaver said this week the investigation is continuing. Madison Sharrock and Leea Port contributed reporting.

Who Is Protecting Who? Inside the Pawleys Island Community Church Sex Offender Case MyrtleBeachSC News

For nearly four years, Warren Spence Perry moved freely through the halls of a building that housed toddlers, kindergartners, and infants as young as six weeks old. He was there, by his own accounting to former teachers, almost every single day. He mopped floors, fixed things, and — according to a photo now circulating in this community — posed next to a young girl at a school field day, beside an inflatable waterslide [GAB News, 2026]. What alm…