Keenan Hord, a youth volunteer at First Baptist Church Bentonville, was convicted of grooming and sexually abusing multiple minors within the church community. The case exposed significant failures by church leadership to implement adequate safeguarding measures and respond appropriately to warning signs. Survivors and their families have filed civil lawsuits against the church, alleging institutional negligence and failure to protect children. The case has drawn attention to the ongoing crisis of child sexual abuse within Southern Baptist churches and the need for comprehensive safeguarding reforms. The Roys Report's investigation revealed that church leaders had received warnings about Hord's inappropriate behavior but failed to take adequate action.
This case exemplifies the ongoing crisis of child sexual abuse within Southern Baptist churches and the critical need for comprehensive safeguarding reforms. Church leaders received multiple warnings about Hord's inappropriate behavior but failed to implement adequate protective measures, enabling continued abuse of vulnerable children.
Youth Volunteer / Perpetrator
Convicted of grooming and sexually abusing multiple minors
Keenan Hord served as a youth volunteer at First Baptist Church Bentonville, where he gained access to vulnerable minors. He systematically groomed and abused multiple victims over an extended period. He was convicted on multiple counts and is serving a prison sentence.
First Baptist Church Bentonville Pastors and Elders
Accused of failing to implement safeguards and ignoring warning signs
Church leadership has been accused of institutional negligence for failing to conduct proper background checks, implement safeguarding policies, and respond appropriately to reports of concerning behavior by Hord.
Victims and Their Families
Pursuing civil litigation against the church for negligence
Multiple families have filed civil lawsuits against First Baptist Church Bentonville, seeking accountability and compensation for the harm caused by the abuse and the church's failure to protect their children.
Investigative Journalism
Exposed the case and documented institutional failures
The Roys Report's investigation brought national attention to the case and revealed that church leaders had received warnings about Hord's behavior but failed to take adequate protective measures.
Keenan Hord served as a youth volunteer at First Baptist Church Bentonville, gaining access to children and teenagers through church activities and events.
Hord systematically groomed and sexually abused multiple minors within the church community. He used his position of trust to isolate victims and manipulate them into silence.
Concerned parents and church members reported inappropriate behavior by Hord to church leadership, including boundary violations and concerning interactions with minors. Church leaders failed to take adequate action.
A victim disclosed the sexual abuse to a parent, who immediately reported it to law enforcement. The disclosure triggered a criminal investigation.
Keenan Hord was arrested and charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse of minors. Additional victims came forward during the investigation.
Hord was tried and convicted on multiple counts of child sexual abuse. He was sentenced to a significant prison term and required to register as a sex offender.
Multiple survivor families filed civil lawsuits against First Baptist Church Bentonville, alleging institutional negligence, failure to implement safeguarding measures, and ignoring warning signs about Hord.
The Roys Report published a comprehensive investigation exposing the institutional failures at First Baptist Church Bentonville and documenting how church leaders ignored warnings about Hord's behavior.
Civil lawsuits against the church continue, with survivors seeking accountability and compensation. The case has prompted discussions about safeguarding reforms in Southern Baptist churches.
Civil lawsuits filed by survivor families against First Baptist Church Bentonville remain ongoing. Discovery proceedings are revealing additional details about institutional failures.
Keenan Hord is currently serving his prison sentence for child sexual abuse. He is required to register as a sex offender and will face lifetime supervision upon release.
First Baptist Church Bentonville has announced the implementation of new safeguarding policies, including mandatory background checks, training requirements, and reporting protocols. Critics question whether these measures are sufficient.
Survivors from this case and others are advocating for comprehensive safeguarding reforms across the Southern Baptist Convention, including independent oversight and mandatory abuse prevention training.
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, help is available. You are not alone.