A fourth civil lawsuit has been filed against Pawleys Island Community Church and Pawleys Island Christian Academy amid an ongoing investigation into registered sex offender Warren Spence Perry’s role on the church and school campus.
The complaint was filed by a mother identified as Jane Doe on behalf of her young son, referred to as R.K. to protect his identity. R.K. reportedly attended the academy from at least September 2025 through July 2026.
According to the lawsuit, Perry worked as a volunteer custodian and allegedly had unrestricted daily access to areas where young children were present. The filing does not establish that Perry harmed R.K. Instead, it alleges that the child was exposed to an unsafe situation without his mother’s knowledge and that the uncertainty surrounding that exposure caused emotional, developmental and financial harm.
Lawsuit Names Church, Academy and Former Leaders
The lawsuit names Pawleys Island Community Church, Pawleys Island Christian Academy, Perry, former Pastor Don Williams, former Academy Director Jennifer “Niki” Howard, former church employee Ginny Williams and several unidentified church elders.
The complaint raises multiple legal claims, including negligence, negligent hiring and supervision, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, institutional negligence and an alleged violation of the South Carolina Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Jane Doe alleges that church and academy leaders knew Perry was registered as a sex offender but did not inform parents that he was working on the campus. The lawsuit further claims that the academy represented itself as a safe environment and stated that adults working with children were properly screened.
The mother says she relied on those assurances when enrolling her son and paying tuition. She is seeking actual, consequential and punitive damages, treatment-related expenses, attorneys’ fees and other relief that may be determined through the legal process.
Complaint Raises Questions About Warnings and Oversight
The complaint alleges that Williams provided a character reference to South Carolina probation officials on Perry’s behalf. It also claims that administrators continued permitting Perry to work on campus after concerns were raised about his presence near children.
According to the lawsuit, a teacher questioned why Perry was allowed around students after learning about his registered offender status. The complaint alleges that the teacher was later forced out after bringing those concerns to school administrators.
These claims remain allegations. The court will determine whether the defendants had a legal duty to disclose Perry’s status, whether applicable screening and supervision requirements were followed, and whether any alleged failures caused compensable harm.
Separate reporting about another lawsuit argues that Perry’s recurring custodial responsibilities, access to classrooms and direction from school leadership made him functionally similar to an employee, regardless of whether the institution called him a volunteer. That question may affect which childcare employment and background-check requirements apply.
Earlier Lawsuit Cited in Current Complaint
The newly filed complaint also references a 2005 lawsuit involving Pawleys Island Community Church, which previously operated under the name Pawleys Island Baptist Church.
That earlier case included allegations that a former youth director sexually harmed a minor and that church leaders failed to respond appropriately to warning signs. The current lawsuit argues that the previous case placed church leadership on notice about the importance of screening, supervising and monitoring adults who work around children.
An earlier accusation does not prove the claims in the current case. However, plaintiffs in institutional abuse lawsuits may present evidence of prior complaints or warnings when arguing that an organization knew, or reasonably should have known, about a potential safety risk.
Local reporting indicates that the 2005 lawsuit was resolved through a settlement.
Arrests and Civil Lawsuits Continue
Perry, Don Williams, Ginny Williams and Howard were arrested following the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office investigation into Perry’s activities on the church campus.
Authorities have alleged that Perry’s volunteer work brought him into areas where children were present despite restrictions connected to his probation. Perry was denied bond during a July 21, 2026, hearing and remained in custody following that decision.
Howard and Don Williams each face charges that include obstruction of justice, criminal conspiracy and unlawfully placing a child at risk. Ginny Williams faces obstruction and conspiracy charges. The three former church and school leaders were granted bond and subsequently released, according to booking records.
What South Carolina Families Should Know
South Carolina requires comprehensive background checks for people employed by or providing caregiver services at licensed, registered or approved childcare facilities. Those checks can include state and federal fingerprint reviews, child abuse and neglect registry searches and state and national sex offender registry searches.
State law also restricts registered sex offenders from performing paid or unpaid work at locations where minors are present when their responsibilities involve instructing, supervising or caring for children, unless the work has received the required court approval. Whether a particular role falls under these provisions depends on the facts and applicable legal definitions.
Parents concerned that a child may have experienced abuse or neglect can report their concerns without first obtaining conclusive proof. South Carolina’s Department of Social Services operates a 24-hour hotline at 1-888-CARE4US, or 1-888-227-3487. Call 911 when a child appears to face an immediate threat of serious harm.
Families may also preserve school communications, enrollment materials, payment records and notes about concerning behavior or disclosures. Speaking with a trauma-informed professional or attorney can help families understand their rights and resources without requiring them to pursue any particular course of action.
Get Legal Help After Abuse at a Church or School
Children and families place significant trust in churches, schools, childcare centers and youth programs. When an institution allegedly ignores warning signs, fails to disclose known risks or does not follow appropriate safety procedures, impacted families may have options.
Depending on the circumstances, those options may include reporting concerns to law enforcement or child-protection agencies, seeking counseling and community support, requesting institutional records or discussing a potential civil claim with an attorney. Every family controls which steps feel appropriate.
Helping Survivors provides accessible information about rights and resources for people affected by sexual abuse in religious institutions, schools and youth programs. Our team may be able to connect victims, survivors and their families with experienced legal professionals who can evaluate what happened, explain possible deadlines and discuss available options.
Contact Helping Survivors for a confidential conversation about legal assistance and the next steps available to your family.
