Registered Sex Offender Employed at Texas Christian School Prompts Outrage and Student Withdrawals

Public School AbuseSexual AbusePrivate Schools
Written By Garritt Hampton

Haslet, Texas Parents Demand Leadership Change After Pastor’s Son, a Convicted Child Sex Offender, Was Found to be Employed by Heritage Christian Academy

February 18, 2026 - DALLAS EXPRESS

HASLET, TX. — According to reporting by FOX 4 News, Caleb Crawford, the 31-year-old son of Heritage Baptist Church Pastor Eric Crawford, had been working on the church and school campus as an independent contractor — assisting with maintenance and other duties — despite being on the Texas sex-offender registry due to a 2016 conviction for indecency with a child involving sexual conduct. The victim in that case was identified as a 12-year-old girl.

Parents learned of Crawford’s criminal history through public online records, not through disclosure by school administrators. “He’s supposed to be in a position where he is taking care of the church members and the school members and all these kids in the school, and he is putting them all in harm’s way, or at least potential,” said parent Ryan Gunderson, as quoted in coverage by Dallas Express and FOX 4.

Several families have since withdrawn their children from the academy, with some demanding changes in leadership at both the school and church. “Our children should be number one… not protecting your own child, who should not be around children,” said parent Chris Baily during a meeting with school staff.

In response to the public outcry, school officials and Pastor Eric Crawford issued statements and took action. According to the school’s Facebook statement, the church claimed Crawford had no official responsibility or authority over students while working on campus. His contract was terminated immediately, and he will no longer serve in any volunteer or ministry capacity.

The church’s statement emphasized: “Heritage Baptist Church and its related ministries do not conceal criminal conduct, and we maintain zero tolerance for criminal or inappropriate behavior within our ministry community.” — Statement from Pastor Eric Crawford/Heritage Baptist Church

Parents also reported reaching out to local law enforcement — including Fort Worth police — for assistance, although no formal investigation or charges related to new misconduct have been publicly confirmed.

Other Recent Texas School Abuse & Misconduct Stories:

Below are notable cases reported in Texas that involve alleged sexual misconduct, abuse, or serious concerns about employee conduct and school responses. These incidents — ranging from arrests and criminal charges to parent outrage over hiring disclosures and changes in statutes — reflect ongoing concerns about child safety, background vetting of school personnel, and institutional transparency across Texas schools.

Little Elm Charter – Former Teacher Arrested on Child Sex Charges (January 2026)

Source: Dallas Express
🔗 https://dallasexpress.com/crime/little-elm-police-arrest-former-charter-teacher-on-continuous-child-sexual-abuse/

A former teacher at North Texas Collegiate Academy East Campus in Little Elm was arrested after a student’s outcry prompted a police investigation. Authorities charged Eric Moore, 30, with continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child. Moore was placed on leave and later resigned. The Little Elm Police Department stated the investigation remains ongoing.

Texas Substitute Teacher Arrested on Felony Child Sex Charges (December 2025)

Source: People Magazine
🔗 https://people.com/texas-sub-teacher-boyfriend-charged-child-sex-offenses-11877087/

In Midlothian, a substitute teacher, Madison Jones, was arrested following a Dec. 17 report to police. She faces felony charges including aggravated sexual assault of a child. Midlothian ISD confirmed Jones had worked intermittently as a substitute and stated investigators found no evidence the alleged assaults occurred on campus. The case is being handled by the Midlothian Police Department Criminal Investigation Division.

Rockwall ISD Teacher Resurfaces After Prior Abuse Allegation (August 2025)

Source: Texas Scorecard
🔗 https://texasscorecard.com/local/a-year-later-rockwall-isd-pre-k-teacher-accused-of-sex-abuse-resurfaces/

A former pre-K teacher in Rockwall ISD, Jamie Palmer, previously accused of sexually abusing a 4-year-old child, reappeared on the district’s website in a non-classroom Technology Department role. Parents had reported the alleged abuse to law enforcement and district officials in 2023, raising renewed concerns about transparency, accountability, and rehiring practices.

Celina ISD Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit Under New Texas Law (October 2025)

Source: PR Newswire / FOX 4 News
🔗 https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nix-patterson-files-landmark-lawsuit-under-new-texas-law-against-celina-isd-former-coach-and-administrators-for-sexual-misconduct-against-minor-students-302597500.html

Families filed a landmark lawsuit against Celina ISD, a former coach and teacher, William Caleb Elliott, and district administrators. The suit alleges officials knew of sexual misconduct involving students and failed to act. Filed under a new Texas school accountability law effective September 1, 2025, the case seeks to hold administrators personally liable for alleged cover-ups.

Channelview Private School Administrator’s Past Sex Crime Revealed (June 2025)

Source: Click2Houston (KPRC)
🔗 https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2025/06/10/channelview-private-school-parents-outraged-after-discovering-administrators-past-sex-crime/

Parents at Family Christian Academy in Channelview expressed alarm after learning an elementary administrator had a 2009 conviction for a lewd act. Families criticized school leadership for failing to disclose the criminal history, citing concerns over transparency and student safety.

Proposed Texas Law to Expand Sex-Offender Registration for Educators (2025)

Source: KLTV
🔗 https://www.kltv.com/2025/02/13/hb1401-would-require-teachers-convicted-sex-with-student-register-sex-offender/

Texas lawmakers proposed HB 1401, legislation that would require educators convicted of improper relationships with students to register as sex offenders. Bill sponsor Cody Harris stated the measure is intended to close loopholes in current law and reinforce parental expectations of school safety.

Sources:

Haslet / Heritage Christian Academy

Little Elm / North Texas Collegiate Academy

Midlothian ISD / Substitute Teacher Case

Celina ISD / Caleb Elliott Cases

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Garritt Hampton

Host of the Thinking Dad podcast. Christian husband, dad, homeschool advocate. Director of Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution. Soli Deo gloria!

https://SchoolhouseRocked.com
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