Authorities in South Carolina say a pastor’s son secretly confined four people to his basement for years, a which only came to light after the death of one of his prisoners.
Pastor’s son charged with 16 counts
Officials reported that 35-year-old Donnie Ray Birchfield Jr. faces 16 charges, including false imprisonment, exploitation of a vulnerable adult, domestic violence, and financial fraud.
The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office detailed allegations that Birchfield controlled nearly every aspect of his victims’ lives, including their ability to use the bathroom, access cellphones, and handle their money.
The investigation began after a woman died inside Birchfield’s Churchill Drive residence in Lancaster on July 24. Her death was not reported until the following day.
Police said evidence pointed to physical abuse, denial of food, and a lack of medical treatment.
Warrants later revealed that she had been deceased for at least a day before officers were called.
The deceased woman’s husband and two other women were discovered in the basement. According to warrants, the couple were considered vulnerable adults.
The two other women were allegedly romantically involved with Birchfield, one reportedly living there since 2015 and the other moving in during 2024.
Man found in basement was mentally disabled
Family members described the grim discovery. Terisa Hinson, the sister of the surviving husband, told WSOC-TV that her brother “looked feeble” and weighed about 70 pounds when found.
She said he has a developmental disability but had previously lived independently.
“He really didn’t say anything because I think he was still in trauma and shock,” Hinson told reporters.
“I walked out the room and started crying because it was just so heartbreaking.”
She questioned Birchfield’s motives. “I wanna know why. Why them? I mean, of all the people in the world, why them?” Hinson said.
Authorities allege Birchfield severely restricted the freedom of those in his basement, only allowing them out when he wished.
Investigators also uncovered claims of financial exploitation, with police stating he used more than $11,800 from the couple’s bank account to pay credit card bills and another $2,000 on Walmart purchases.
Court records show Birchfield’s charges include four counts of false imprisonment, four counts of exploiting vulnerable adults, two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult, two counts of domestic violence, and four counts tied to financial crimes.
Pastor’s son held on $150,000 bond
He was arrested on August 1 and booked into the Lancaster County Detention Center on August 2 at 2:38 a.m. His bond was set at $150,000.
Birchfield’s attorney, Ryan Payne, issued a statement defending his client. “It is important to remember that he is presumed innocent of these allegations,” Payne said.
“We look forward to litigating this case in the court system where facts, evidence, and the rule of law matter. We will have no further comment at this time.”
Birchfield is the son of Pastor Donnie Birchfield Sr. of Friendship Baptist Church in Lancaster.
When asked about his son’s case, Birchfield Sr. told the Daily Mail, “It’s amazing how things have been twisted in the news. I’d like to tell you more, but I can’t.”
Other relatives took to social media to share a message suggesting the story may not be fully accurate.
“Not everything you read or hear—even in the news—is always the full truth,” read a post shared by Birchfield’s sister Gracie and stepmother Wynette.
Neighbors reacted with disbelief. Christy Barnes, who has lived near the Birchfield family for more than a decade, described her shock.
“There are a lot of different things that, that have gone on that now, you know, while they may not be directly related, they do tend to make a little more sense,” she said.
“Feeling that human aspect of it, I feel I feel terrible for all the families involved, individuals involved in the things that everybody’s going through,” she noted.
