Police investigating KC area pastor, ex-school board president accused of grooming child
The Blue Springs Police Department is investigating former school board president and local pastor Bobby Hawk after allegations of inappropriate behavior from roughly 10 years ago with a then-12-year-old recently surfaced online.
“We have opened an investigation and are seeking information regarding these allegations,” Jennifer Brady, the department’s public information officer, told The Star in an email.
“With this now being an open investigation, I am not at liberty to speak further.”
The department posted on social media that it’s “reaching out to people who may be able to provide more information,” inviting tipsters to call 816-228-0151.
Efforts by The Star to reach Hawk on Thursday were unsuccessful.
Hawk resigned from the Blue Springs Board of Education on Wednesday. His abrupt departure came shortly after 23-year-old Isabelle “Izzy” Davis shared a blog post detailing Hawk’s “grooming” behavior, which she alleges began after her family started attending EPIC Church KC in Independence, where Hawk is a founding pastor.
In her post, Davis recalled an encounter with Hawk during a youth group sleepover at his house. She said Hawk grasped her hand and placed it underneath his thigh while the two were watching a movie.
During a phone interview with The Star, Davis — who grew up in Blue Springs and has since moved away — said she decided to go public with her story when other people who wished to remain anonymous told her about similar experiences with Hawk.
Since Davis posted her story, others with ties to the church have posted on social media about Hawk, including allegations that he harassed church staff members.
“I would encourage people to keep supporting everyone else who comes out as much as they’ve been supporting me,” Davis said. “Because all his victims deserve to have a platform and find healing through this time.”
EPIC’s board of directors placed Hawk, its founding pastor, on leave Thursday “pending further review.” In a statement, the board said Sunday services would be canceled this weekend.
“We ask that you take time this Sunday to pray for our church family and for wisdom as our board of directors considers the next steps for all involved,” the board of directors said in its statement.
The Blue Springs school board on Wednesday said Hawk’s resignation was accepted unanimously.
This story was originally published June 20, 2024 at 2:41 PM.
