Just the facts: On February 19, 2026 Fort Worth police arrested Caleb Crawford, a registrant who was employed by Heritage Christian Academy, for failing to comply with registration requirements. Failing to register is a felony punishable by up to 20 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, depending on the severity of the offense. His father, a pastor at Heritage Baptist Church, has temporarily stepped away from his duties while the church’s finance team conducts an internal review.
Caleb Crawford worked at the church and its private school in his role as a private contractor, despite his conviction of indecency with a child involving sexual conduct. Mr. Crawford is required to register for life and is listed as a moderate risk level. The church has stated he had no responsibility or authority over students.
Commentary: As a registrant, Mr. Crawford had the responsibility to ensure that his personal conduct and his employment did not violate the law. Working for a private school after having a charge involving a minor is a bad decision that can only end in disaster. The church has a high level of culpability in this situation as well, considering that they absolutely had to have known of his status as a registrant and had the duty to make appropriate employment decisions. Mr. Crawford should have been able to work for the church without having had access to the school and the minors who attend it.
Conclusion: Everyone in this situation sucks. Bad decisions were made by all parties.
