• What Happened: Kentucky worship pastor David Rodgers, 40, died by apparent suicide days after his arrest on multiple child sexual abuse charges spanning nearly a decade.
  • Why It Matters: Rodgers confessed during a police interview and used his trusted church position to access the victim, who was 12 or 13 when the abuse began.
  • Bottom Line: The church immediately terminated Rodgers and issued a statement addressing survivors upon learning of the charges.

A Kentucky worship pastor who was arrested earlier this week on multiple child sexual abuse charges was found dead Thursday in what investigators are calling an apparent suicide.

David Rodgers, 40, had been serving as worship pastor at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Owensboro when the Daviess County Sheriff's Office arrested him following an investigation that began in January. The alleged abuse dated back nearly a decade, with authorities saying the victim was between 12 and 13 years old when the relationship began and that it continued for four to five years.

Rodgers faced charges of third-degree rape, second-degree sodomy involving a position of authority, first-degree sexual abuse, procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means, and possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under age 12.

According to investigators, Rodgers gained access to the victim through his trusted role within the church. When taken into custody and interviewed by police, he confessed to the charges.

He was initially held at the Daviess County Detention Center before being released on a $75,000 cash bond, with conditions requiring him to stay at least 500 feet from the victim and avoid contact with children. Days after his release he was found dead near his residence in Utica. Kentucky State Police and the county coroner responded to the scene around 9:45 a.m. Thursday.

The church acted swiftly upon learning of the arrest. Rodgers was immediately terminated, his profile was removed from the church website, and he was barred from all church events.

"We are deeply saddened and troubled by these allegations. The church takes all allegations of sexual assault extremely seriously," Pleasant Grove Baptist Church said in a statement.

The church also spoke directly to survivors: "We understand that for sexual assault survivors, this may initiate feelings of pain and past trauma. Please know we are praying for you and your continued healing."

A child was victimized for years by someone entrusted with spiritual leadership. That child deserved justice. The case is a sobering reminder that wolves in shepherds' clothing exist, and churches must remain vigilant in protecting the vulnerable in their car.