GEORGETOWN COUNTY, SC (WCIV) — A new lawsuit filed Tuesday against Pawleys Island Community Church and Pawleys Island Christian Academy alleges a child was sexually abused by registered sex offender Warren Perry after church and school leaders knowingly allowed him access to children on campus.
The lawsuit, filed by the Law Offices of Kenneth Berger on behalf of a minor and the child’s family, is separate from a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this month against the church and school. The complaint alleges church and academy leaders knew of Perry’s criminal history, allowed him access to children including inside classrooms, and dismissed a report of abuse made by the family in 2022.
“Institutions aren’t allowed to illegally harbor sex offenders and get away with it,” attorney Kenneth Berger said in a statement. “This family trusted the school to care for their child. That trust was betrayed, and their child was sexually abused.”
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The filing comes the same day Perry was denied bond during a Georgetown County court hearing. Former church pastor Don Williams, former church administrator Ginny Williams and former academy director Jennifer “Niki” Howard were granted bond after being charged in connection with the investigation into Perry’s role at the church and school.
The new complaint alleges the church and school knew of Perry’s background and continued giving him access to children. It further claims the family reported abuse to school leadership in 2022 but their concerns were ignored.
The family is not being identified because the alleged victim is a minor.
