News Summary
Myron and Kathleen Chorbajian, a pastor and his wife from Greenville County, South Carolina, have been arrested on multiple severe child abuse charges, including sexual assault. The investigation, initiated after a victim’s disclosure, links them to allegations involving eight children, some of whom are deceased. Following their arrest, they were denied bond, raising concerns within the community about the safety of vulnerable children and the responsibilities of caregivers.
Greenville County, South Carolina – A local pastor and his wife have been arrested on multiple charges related to severe child abuse, including sexual assault, following an extensive investigation by the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Myron Chorbajian, the pastor at 1st Southern Methodist Church, and his wife Kathleen Ann Chorbajian were apprehended on May 15 in Nashville, Tennessee, under warrants citing them as fugitives from justice.
The charges are linked to allegations involving eight children, with reports indicating that the abuse began as far back as the 1980s. The investigation was initiated in April after a victim came forward with disclosures of extensive abuse. Preliminary findings suggest that male children experienced physical abuse, while female children faced sexual abuse. Disturbingly, two of the identified victims are now deceased.
Following their arrest, Myron and Kathleen Chorbajian were transported back to the Greenville County Detention Center, where they were denied bond on May 23. Myron faces numerous charges, including:
- Forcing a child to search dumpsters for rotten food.
- Beating a child with a belt to the point of unconsciousness.
- Stripping a child down to their underwear and tying them to a basketball post to administer over 50 belt strikes.
- Breaking a coffee mug over a child’s head, which resulted in the child’s subsequent epilepsy diagnosis.
- Killing a child’s dog and compelling the child to bury it.
- Running over a child’s pet kitten and shooting it in front of the child.
Kathleen Chorbajian has been charged with failing to intervene in the alleged abuse, thus putting children at risk. Additional charges against her include:
- Forcing a child to eat an entire bar of soap, which led to illness.
- Striking a child in the head with a skillet, causing visible bruises.
Neither the authorities nor the sheriff’s office have provided specific details regarding the sexual allegations against Myron Chorbajian, which remain part of the ongoing investigation.
The Chorbajians reportedly adopted numerous children over the years, a fact that has left many in the community in shock and disbelief. Local residents voiced feelings of betrayal and anger, particularly as the couple had earned the trust of many families in the neighborhood. Concerns for the wellbeing of the victims have surged within the community, with calls for healing and support for those impacted by these alarming revelations.
This case raises pressing questions about the protection of vulnerable children and the responsibilities of caregivers. Community members and local leaders are now focusing on providing assistance to the victims and emphasizing the importance of reporting abuse to prevent similar situations in the future.
As the legal process unfolds, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding these allegations. Residents are left hoping for justice for the children affected by the actions of Myron and Kathleen Chorbajian.
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Additional Resources
- WYFF4: Greenville County Pastor Child Sex Crimes
- Wikipedia: Child Abuse
- Fox Carolina: Upstate Pastor and Wife Accused of Child Sex Crimes
- Google Search: Child Sexual Abuse News
- WSAZ: Pastor and Wife Facing Multiple Charges
- Google Scholar: Child Abuse Investigation
- Greenville Online: Pastor and Wife Arrested in Nashville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
- Fox Carolina: Upstate Pastor and Wife Arrested as Fugitives
- Google News: Pastor Arrested Child Abuse
