Pastor leaves young child alone in SUV while he drinks and dines, police say

DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY/Gray News) – A pastor in Alabama is accused of leaving a young child alone in an SUV while he drank at a bar.

Police said John Gibson is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor.

According to an investigation report, Gibson, per eyewitnesses, left the child, who is under the age of 5, in his SUV while he drank at a bar late Saturday into early Sunday.

He then reportedly drove across the parking lot to a 24-hour restaurant, where he went inside to eat, and again left the child in the vehicle.

When officers arrived at the restaurant, they took Gibson into custody.

Thankfully, first responders said the child appeared unharmed.

The Alabama Department of Human Resources took the child into their care until other family members arrived.

Gibson was an associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Dothan. However, the church said it has parted ways with him since his arrest.

“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 handling of the situation.