The church terminated his employment immediately following the incident. (Image: Julie Roys)
An Atlanta pastor has been swiftly removed from his position and arrested following disturbing allegations of severe child abuse. Kenneth McFarland, the former pastor of the 2819 Church in Atlanta, Georgia, is facing criminal charges after his 15-year-old stepson arrived at school showing visible signs of a violent assault. The church confirmed the incident and McFarland's subsequent termination in an official statement, marking a rapid fall from grace for the religious leader.
Who is the pastor at the center of these allegations? Kenneth McFarland was the serving pastor at the 2819 Church in Atlanta. The church released a statement on Thursday confirming his arrest for what it described as "a serious crime involving the physical hand of a child in his family." The church's response was immediate and severe. Officials stated they "immediately suspended" McFarland upon learning of the allegations. The pastor agreed to step down pending a final decision, and he was formally "dismissed" from the church by Tuesday, November 18, severing all ties.
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How were the authorities alerted to the abuse? The investigation began when the pastor's 15-year-old stepson went to his school in Stockbridge with a chilling visible injury. A report from the Stockbridge Police Department notes that the child had blood on his pants. When the school principal asked him what had happened, the teenager said McFarland had “disciplined” him. Concerned by this, the principal immediately called the police to report possible abuse, starting the official investigation.
What exactly is Pastor McFarland accused of doing? The police report contains harrowing details provided by the 15-year-old victim. According to the child, the beating was a punishment for receiving an in-school suspension. He told police that McFarland beat him with a power cord from his gaming system. The assault was so violent that it caused the teenager to bleed. The police document states the child was "struck with a power cord from his gaming system before coming to school," leading to the bloody condition that first caught the principal's attention.
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Kenneth McFarland has been arrested and charged with child abuse. The 2819 Church has stated that he has been permanently removed from his role and will not be reinstated. The case is now progressing in court, where the police report and the stepson’s statement are the main evidence. At the same time, the community and church members are still struggling to accept the shocking actions of someone they trusted.
This is a developing story. Updates may follow.
