A now former associate pastor at the First Baptist Church of Dothan was arrested over the weekend after police say he left a young child alone in the car while he went to drink at a bar.
Per a WTVY report, John Gibson was arrested early on Sunday morning and charged with endangering the welfare of a child after witnesses say the pastor left a child, who is under the age of 5, in his SUV while he drank at a bar.
After leaving the bar, Gibson then reportedly drove across the parking lot and left the child strapped into a car seat alone in the SUV to go into a 24-hour restaurant.
Officers arrested Gibson at the restaurant and called paramedics to check on the child, who was found safe. The Alabama Department of Human Resources took the child into their care until other family members arrived.
In a statement to WDHN, First Baptist Church of Dothan confirmed that Gibson was fired after the arrest.
“This incident occurred on the staff member’s personal time and in no way involved any of the students or children who participate in our student ministry. We are in prayer for all involved, and are grateful for the law enforcement personnel who help keep our community safe every day," the church told the outlet.
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