On 16 February 2026, a massive protest erupted at St. Francis Missionary School in the Bilaspur area of Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, following serious allegations against the principal, Arisheril Joseph. The accused, originally from Kerala, is said to have summoned minor female students aged 6, 10, and 12 to his office under the pretext of punishment, where he reportedly subjected them to indecent acts and “bad touch.”
This incident is not isolated but part of a disturbing pattern. In this report, we take a look at 15 such cases of child abuse in educational institutions run by Evangelical forces from 2018 to 2026, revealing a systematic exploitation of children under the guise of education. These incidents span India and abroad, with principals, pastors, and teachers repeatedly luring victims to offices or hostels for “punishment” or “counseling,” often invoking religious authority to silence them.
#1 Uttar Pradesh: Principal Molests 3 Minor Girls 12 In School Office
On 16 February 2026, at St. Francis Missionary School in Khuntakheda Village, Bilaspur, Rampur district, Uttar Pradesh, Principal Arisheril Joseph, originally from Kerala and serving since 2020, allegedly summoned three minor female students aged 6, 10, and 12 to his office under the pretext of punishment and subjected them to indecent acts and “bad touch.” Parents arrived at the school and found Joseph in an inebriated state, subsequently physically assaulting him. Police rescued Joseph from the mob and took him into custody. An FIR was registered under the POCSO Act, and CCTV footage has been seized for investigation.
#2 Andhra Pradesh: Pastor, School Director Rape Student, Leads to Pregnancy
On 26 March 2025, at a Private Missionary School in Machavaram, Rayavaram Mandal, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, Pastor and School Correspondent Akumarthi Shaji Jayaraju lured a minor female student to his office on the pretext of bringing files and sexually assaulted her. The crime remained hidden until the victim became five months pregnant and her health deteriorated. The frightened girl finally disclosed the ordeal to her family, who filed a complaint. Police registered a case under the POCSO Act. Jayaraju, who had been absconding, was arrested in the Kothur suburb of Ramachandrapuram and sent to judicial custody.
#3 New Mexico: Christian School Administrator Abuses 11-year-old Student For Weeks
On 24 June 2025, at Hope Christian School in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the arrest occurring in Idaho, Kelly McEachran, a 66-year-old teacher and administrator for 35 years, was arrested for sexually abusing an 11-year-old female student. The abuse occurred near his desk, where he would ask the victim to sit in a “comfy chair” when she approached with questions. Under the guise of studying, he touched her inappropriately both over and under her clothing for several weeks. After a complaint was filed in April 2025, McEachran was placed on leave and later arrested.
#4 Alabama: Married Teacher Arrested for Sexual Relationship with Minor Student
On 16 July 2025, at North River Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA, Sarah Huggins Logan, a 35-year-old married mother of two and Class II teacher, was arrested after parents discovered she was having a “sexual relationship” with their minor daughter, whose age was not disclosed. The parents filed a police report on 16 July 2025, triggering an investigation. The school administration immediately dismissed Logan upon learning of the allegations and cooperated with authorities.
#5 Maryland: Pastor and Former Teacher Abuses Five Minor Students
On 25 July 2025, at Elvaton Christian Academy in Millersville, Maryland, USA, William Auburn Jones, a 58-year-old pastor at Jesup Baptist Church and former teacher, was arrested for sexually abusing five minor students aged between 7 and 13 years. According to charging documents, Jones inappropriately touched a 10-year-old boy in the school’s computer lab. Another 12-year-old victim revealed that Jones had abused her continuously from third through sixth grade. Police identified five victims in total. Jones was arrested on July 25 and faces multiple counts of child abuse and sexual battery.
#6 Florida: 80-year-old Former Principal Captured for 1980s School Abuse
On 25 August 2025, in Bradenton, Florida, Eric Anderson, an 80-year-old former pastor and principal of The Bible Speaks school in Western Massachusetts, was arrested for sexually abusing a minor student in the 1980s. Victim Erica Slater stated that Anderson would call her behind his desk and grope her repeatedly. The case came to light in 2019 when the investigative group ‘Millstones’ began examining abuse patterns in the church. Anderson, who was hiding in Virginia, was tracked to Bradenton, Florida based on his vehicle and captured on 25 August 2025.
#7 Pennsylvania: Pastor Sentenced to Up to 40 Years for 2007-08 Basement Abuse
On 9 January 2023, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA, Randy Lee Boston, a 64-year-old Bible Baptist Church pastor and former teacher at West Chester Christian School, was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison for sexually abusing a first-grade student in 2007-08. Boston took the child, aged 6-7 at the time, to the school basement under the pretext of punishment for a minor mischief, assaulted him, then prayed with him to ensure silence. The victim suffered years of drug abuse and trauma before disclosing to his brother in 2019. Boston admitted his attraction to children during investigation. Judge Patrick Carmody described him as “a man without remorse.”
#8 Tamil Nadu: Pastor Sentenced to Seven Years for Assault on 13-year-old Hostelite
On 3 January 2023, at a girls hostel in Pallagoundampalayam, Uthukuli, Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu, Pastor Andrews, 46, who along with his wife ran a hostel for girls and working women, was arrested for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old minor student. On 14 December 2022, when the victim missed evening prayers due to illness, Andrews assaulted her in her room and threatened her to remain silent. The crime came to light when the girl returned home for Christmas holidays and refused to go back. Her family lodged a complaint, and police registered a case under the POCSO Act. Andrews confessed to his crime and was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.
#9 Madhya Pradesh: Principal Arrested for Abusing 8 Minor Girls in Hostel
On 5 March 2023, at a Missionary School Hostel in Dindori district, Madhya Pradesh, Principal Nan Singh was arrested while teacher Khemchand, hostel caretaker Fateh Sunny, and a female caretaker remain absconding for sexually assaulting eight female students from classes 6 to 12, aged approximately 6 to 12 years. During a surprise inspection by the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and Child Welfare Committee, the students tearfully reported years of abuse, stating that the accused would call them alone to classrooms, touch their private parts, and engage in obscene acts. Students also complained of caning and stale food.
#10 Tamil Nadu: Headmaster Sentenced to 14 Years for Assaulting Nine Students
On 9 April 2022, at a Government Aided Primary School run by the church in Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu, A. Thomas Samuel, a 57-year-old headmaster, was arrested after having sexually harassed schoolgirls for three months. The abuse came to light on 8 April 2022, when a parent filed a police complaint. Investigation revealed that Samuel had misbehaved with nine girl students of the school. Kovilpatti Mahila Police arrested him on 9 April 2022, under the POCSO Act. He was subsequently sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for his crimes against the minor students.
#11 Tamil Nadu: Math Teacher Arrested for Assaulting Student during Exam Supervision
On 6 April 2022, at Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School in Thiruvarangam, Ramanathapuram district, Tamil Nadu, Arogya Arul Thomas, a mathematics teacher, was arrested for sexually assaulting a 10th-class girl student while supervising an examination. He held the student’s hand and made objectionable remarks, and when she protested, he abused her. The victim first complained to Principal Arulanand, who merely issued a warning. The student then approached the Child Protection Committee, whose investigation confirmed the allegations and found two other teachers’ behavior suspicious. Police arrested Thomas under the POCSO Act.
#12 Tamil Nadu: Principal, Wife Arrested for Hostel Assault and Cover-up
On 3 December 2021, at C.E. Higher Secondary School and Heber Home Hostel in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, Principal James, 52, and his wife Stella Mary, a teacher and hostel warden, were arrested for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old student and covering up the crime. James assaulted the victim in the school storeroom during Diwali holidays when other children were away. When the girl complained to Stella, she scolded the victim and threatened her to remain silent. The victim’s health deteriorated, and she disclosed the abuse when sent to relatives. Srirangam Women’s Police arrested both under the POCSO Act. The Education Department dismissed both from service.
#13 Tamil Nadu: Karate Master Abuses Student for 4 Years During “Meditation” Classes
On 28 November 2021, at an FCRA-funded missionary school in Salem, Tamil Nadu, Karate Master Raja and the school manager were arrested under the POCSO Act after a 12th-grade student attempted suicide and revealed during hospital counseling that Raja had been sexually harassing her for four years during meditation classes under the guise of teaching “peace and meditation.” Investigation revealed Raja had similarly abused several other female students. The school and its attached orphanage receive foreign funding from the United Kingdom. Police arrested both accused and sent them to jail.
#14 Tamil Nadu: English Professor Arrested After Students Protest Inaction
On 1 December 2021, at St. Thomas College of Arts and Science in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, English Professor Tamil Selvan was arrested after obtaining female students’ phone numbers under the pretext of online classes, sending obscene messages on WhatsApp, and physically assaulting them. When students complained to the college administration, their complaints were ignored. Students staged a massive protest on campus; the management initially called police to quell the protests. As pressure mounted, the professor was dismissed, and the administration filed a police complaint. Selvan was arrested under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and the IT Act.
#15 Tamil Nadu: Principal Arrested for Abusing 11-year-old, Linked to Another Student’s Suicide
On 2 March 2018, at Montfort School in Perungudi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Principal G. Jayapaul, 44, was arrested for sexually abusing an 11-year-old student after the girl refused to attend school for two months and disclosed the abuse to her parents. Thoraipakkam and Guindy police stations initially refused to register the complaint, sparking massive protests by family and residents. Jayapaul confessed during interrogation. Investigation revealed he had faced similar allegations at a previous school. Following his arrest, another family came forward alleging Jayapaul was responsible for their daughter’s suicide six months earlier – she had gone to seek his blessings after scoring 97 percent in exams, and he touched her inappropriately.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
