UNIVERSAL CITY, Texas (BP) – A teacher at First Baptist Academy in Universal City has been taken into custody and charged with indecency with a child and child grooming.
Stephen Strawn, 50, was listed as having responsibilities for the band, tech crew and yearbook at the school, which is affiliated with First Baptist Church, located northeast of San Antonio.
Child Protective Services visited First Baptist Academy on March 16, reported KSAT-San Antonio. Strawn was immediately placed on administrative leave.
In an affidavit, Strawn admitted to authorities that he had conducted unauthorized private tutoring sessions with a 13-year-old in addition to photographing her during uniform fittings that exposed her back and stomach. He also admitted to another potential child grooming incident from two years earlier.
A judge set Strawn’s combined bond at $125,000, with records indicating that Strawn has since been bonded out of jail.
Detectives relayed that Strawn had pulled the student out of class several times last November for unauthorized private lessons on the French horn and that during alleged uniform fittings made sexual contact with the victim while using measuring tape. Strawn also allegedly used his personal eBay account to purchase risqué clothing for the teen to wear during unauthorized time together, during which he took photos of her.
The church released a statement that it was aware of the investigation.
“The church and academy are fully cooperating with law enforcement and Child Protective Services and are committed to supporting a thorough and transparent investigative process,” it said.
“The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority. We take this matter with the utmost seriousness and are committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and supportive environment for every child entrusted to our care. We are also working to provide appropriate care and support for students, families, and staff affected by this situation.”
Lead Pastor Ryan Gilbert addressed the issue during his March 29 sermon.
“I want to ask you to pray, earnestly and continually, for anyone who has been affected,” he said. “… I want to affirm the courage of anyone who came forward … and I’m deeply grateful for that kind of bravery.
“Second, I want us to remember that in the weeks ahead [that] this is a time for us to care for those involved. While many of us feel shock, we can only imagine the weight of what they’re experiencing, those directly involved, including family.”
If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at sbcabuseprevention.com/helpline or call 833-611-HELP.
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