Christian authors arrested in Texas over child abuse allegations
Seth and Heather Day, best-selling Christian authors from Keene, Texas, were arrested on child abuse charges. Seth faces additional sexual assault allegations.
Christian authors from North Texas charged with child abuse offences
Two best-selling Christian authors have been arrested in Keene, Texas, following an investigation into alleged physical and sexual abuse of a child, fox4news.com reports, citing the Keene Police Department and arrest affidavits.
Seth Michael Day, 39, and Heather Marie Day, 39, both residents of Keene — approximately 30 miles south of Fort Worth — were booked into Johnson County Jail last week.
The case opened on 24 September 2026, after a high school teacher reported a child's account of physical abuse. Investigators from the Keene Police Department and a forensic interviewer from the Johnson County Children's Advocacy Center conducted an emergency forensic interview with the victim.
According to arrest warrant affidavits, the victim stated that Seth Day struck her in the face and chest with a mobile phone on 22 September 2026, acting out of anger. The assault left visible lacerations and multiple bruises, which Keene police detectives documented.
Investigators determined that Heather Day was present during the incident, was aware of the abuse, and did not intervene. The victim further reported that Heather had knowledge of earlier injuries, failed to report them, and attempted to conceal the abuse by instructing the victim to wear a face mask and by telling medical professionals she was unaware of how the injuries had occurred.
Seth Day was initially charged with Injury to a Child, a third-degree felony. Heather Day was charged with Injury to a Child by Omission, also a third-degree felony.
As the investigation continued, Keene Police Chief James Kidd stated that additional allegations of sexual abuse involving Seth Day emerged. Investigators executed a search warrant and recovered relevant evidence. A further criminal complaint and arrest affidavit were subsequently filed against Seth Day, charging him with Sexual Assault of a Child, a first-degree felony.
Seth Day holds a position as assistant professor of psychology at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene. The university confirmed his arrest and announced it had placed him on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. In a statement, the institution said it is "fully cooperating with law enforcement" and noted that the current allegations do not involve SWAU students, staff, or other faculty members.
Heather Thompson Day is a Christian author, podcast host, and former communication professor. The couple co-authored the best-selling relationship book I'll See You Tomorrow.
The investigation is described as ongoing by the Keene Police Department.
Source: The Sun