Alabama Pastor Fired After Arrest for Leaving Toddler Alone in Car

John Gibson, an associate pastor at First Baptist Church of Dothan, Alabama, was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child after leaving his preschool-aged child unattended in his SUV while he drank at a bar and later dined at a nearby 24-hour restaurant. Witnesses alerted police to the child being left alone in the vehicle, which was found with the child strapped into a car seat; Gibson was found highly intoxicated and taken into custody. The child was unharmed and placed in protective custody with the Alabama Department of Human Resources until family members arrived. Following the incident, Gibson was fired from his position at the church, which emphasized the incident occurred during his personal time and did not involve any children from their ministry. Police and church officials highlighted the dangers of leaving a young child alone in a vehicle, noting risks such as kidnapping or medical emergencies. The church has removed references to Gibson from their website and social media and expressed prayers for all involved while thanking law enforcement for their efforts.