Parents at a private Christian school are spreading the word after learning the pastor’s son, a sex offender, had been working on campus without their knowledge.

HASLET, Texas — Heritage Christian Academy in Haslet is facing backlash from concerned parents after it was revealed that Caleb Crawford, the son of head pastor Eric Crawford, is a registered sex offender who had been working at the school as an independent contractor.

Heritage Christian Academy issued a public statement after concerns within the congregation, where pastor Eric Crawford addressed why he allowed his son, a registered sex offender, to assist with maintenance and musical jobs around the church. The pastor states his sons legal process had concluded several years prior. 

“My intent was to allow his gifts to serve the ministry while ensuring that he held no role of responsibility or authority over minors entrusted to our care,” Crawford said.

Ryan and Dani Jo Gunderson, parents of three children previously enrolled at the private Christian school, said they were never informed of Crawford’s presence when they enrolled their first child four years ago — and only discovered the information on their own.

“It took us two minutes to find this,” Dani Jo Gunderson said pointing to Crawford’s DPS registry. “We can’t find him on their website because he’s an independent contractor, yet we can find all of these photos with him on the stage. I have pictures on my phone of him behind the children.”

The Gundersons said their children appeared to know Crawford by name, raising questions about how limited his role truly was.

“The reason we’re doing this is so that every other parent can make the informed decision as to whether they want to send their kid somewhere where there is a convicted pedophile working there,” Ryan Gunderson said.

According to court documents, 31-year-old Caleb Crawford was charged with indecency with a child for sexual conduct from 2016. Crawford was convicted for sexual contact of a minor who was 12 years old. Crawford was 17 and under the care of his parents at the time, and court documents indicate the sexual contact continued over the course of a couple of years. The conviction was enough to warrant a lifetime sex offender registry requirement.

The Gundersons said the church has been actively concealing Crawford’s presence.

“They have been hiding a big secret for many, many years, on purpose,” Dani Jo Gunderson said.

In the statement released by Pastor Crawford, he said he has reversed his decisions, stating his son will no longer lead music and his maintenance contract has been terminated. He also said that this will allow his son to attend church services, if he chooses, but will not be allowed to serve in any volunteer or ministry capacity. 

In the statement, the church emphasized its commitment to child safety:

“Heritage Baptist Church and its related ministries do not conceal criminal conduct, and we maintain zero tolerance for criminal or inappropriate behavior within our ministry community. In accordance with mandatory reporting laws, we report any suspicion of abuse or inappropriate conduct toward a minor to the appropriate authorities.”

The church declined WFAA’s request for an on-camera interview.

For the Gundersons, the church’s response falls short. They said the fact that Crawford was on campus at all — regardless of his official title — is unacceptable, and they are now making it their mission to ensure other parents in the community are aware.

“Why would you want a convicted pedophile around your kids every day? Why?” Ryan Gunderson said.

The family told WFAA this is not about personal feelings, but about informed consent for every parent in the community.

Crawford’s statement said the church remains fully committed to operating in a safe, responsible, and legally compliant manner in order to strengthen unity and trust within the church and school communities.Â