A church daycare worker of five years, a report to the state, and new rules for every classroom

What happened

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Trinity United Methodist Church Child Development Center in Huntsville told the Madison County Department of Human Resources about allegations of inappropriate contact between an employee and a child, according to Huntsville police. Police said the center reported that the employee, Cameron White, 24, had inappropriate contact with a child in his care.

The church told WHNT it learned of the incident on Wednesday, contacted authorities and fired the employee. Police, DHR and the Children’s Advocacy Center investigated together. White was arrested on January 22 after an interview. Rocket City Now reported that a second child was later identified and he was charged with two counts of sexual abuse of a child under 12, with bond set at $100,000. The charges are allegations.

Rocket City Now also reported that White had worked at the center for about five years, that civil lawsuits allege negligent hiring and supervision, and that two center administrators were placed on leave. In a letter to parents, the center announced new rules: at least two teachers present at all times, all classrooms moved to the front of the building, and a police presence outside.

What safety teams can take from it

• Two adults, every time. The center adopted the two-adult rule after the fact. Make it policy now for every nursery, classroom, bathroom trip and car ride.
• Report first, sort it out later. The center went to state officials the day the concern came up. Leaders should know mandatory reporting laws and never try to investigate on their own first.
• Design for visibility. Windows in classroom doors, open sightlines and rooms near busy hallways make abuse harder to hide. Look at where your kids’ rooms are.
• Long tenure is not a safety check. Five years on staff doesn’t replace ongoing supervision, unannounced walk-throughs and refresher training.
• Use your cameras. Investigators reviewed the center’s video. Make sure cameras cover children’s areas and footage is kept long enough to matter.