Judge Weighs Removing Probation Agency From Lawsuit
A Georgetown judge heard arguments on whether the state probation agency should be dropped from a suit over a convicted sex offender's church volunteering.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Sex Crimes
A Georgetown judge considered removing the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services from a civil lawsuit filed by parents. The suit concerns convicted sex offender Warren Perry, who volunteered at Pawleys Island Community Church and Pawleys Island Christian Academy while on probation.
Why it matters
The case tests whether state probation officers can be held liable for failing to enforce conditions meant to keep convicted offenders away from children. For South Carolina families, the outcome could shape how the state's Tort Claims Act applies to supervision failures.
The judge has not ruled on whether the probation agency can be removed from the suit and asked both sides to provide copies of cited cases. Perry remains in the Georgetown County jail, and a judge has not yet ruled on his probation violation.
The players
Warren Perry
A convicted sex offender who was on probation while volunteering at a church and school in Pawleys Island, and who remains in the Georgetown County jail.
South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
The state agency responsible for supervising probationers, which argues it is shielded from liability in the lawsuit.
The details
The lawsuit was brought by parents who argue probation officers failed to monitor Perry, who continued volunteering on a church campus housing a school and child care facility. The state contends it is protected under the Tort Claims Act and that it owed the family no legal duty of care.
Timeline
Thursday: hearing held in Georgetown on whether the probation agency can be removed from the lawsuit
No ruling date has been set.
Legal Context
The case asks whether the state's Tort Claims Act shields probation supervisors from suits over failing to keep a convicted offender away from children. Its outcome will show how South Carolina courts weigh sovereign immunity against duties owed to families in similar cases.
Parents of children attending churches or schools where convicted offenders volunteer may face unclear protections if supervision lapses. The ruling could determine whether families can seek accountability from the state when probation conditions are not enforced.
The takeaway
Parents should ask churches and schools whether registered or probationary volunteers are screened and supervised around children. Families can also check whether a volunteer is on the state's sex offender registry before the volunteer works with their children.
Further reading
Explore more on Sex Crimes coverage across South Carolina.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WPDE.
