Metro Voice News Celebrating Faith, Family & Community
Jackson County prosecutors announced this week they will not pursue charges against Bobby Hawk, former pastor and Blue Springs school board president, despite multiple allegations of sexual misconduct spanning decades.
Prosecutors carefully reviewed allegations dating back to the late 1990s before reaching their conclusion.
“Twenty-five years ago, my sister and I, we came forward to speak our truth about Bobby. We were shamed, told to stay quiet, and was pressured…” said Destiny Bounds in a statement to KMBC News, describing the initial challenges of reporting the abuse.
Under current Missouri law, most felonies must be charged within three years, with shorter limits for misdemeanors—a restriction that has drawn increasing criticism from abuse survivors and advocates.
The case began last summer when multiple women came forward with allegations against Hawk. Their testimonies led to his resignation from both the Blue Springs Board of Education and his position as pastor of EPIC Church KC.
Two women, Destiny and Danielle, initially reported abuse occurring when they were 13 and 15 years old during Hawk’s tenure as Children’s Leader at Sheffield Family Life Center.
“There are several victims that are spanned over different states and churches that are across state lines,” reported Fox 4 News, highlighting the widespread nature of the allegations.
Timeline of Events:
- June 2024: Initial investigation began after first allegations surfaced
- July 2024: EPIC Church placed Hawk on leave
- Summer 2024: Six women announced plans for legal action
- February 2025: Prosecutor’s office announces no criminal charges possible
The case has gained renewed attention as Missouri lawmakers consider legislation that would extend the timeframe for filing abuse-related lawsuits to twenty years after victims turn 21. Currently, victims must file by age 31 or within three years of discovering the abuse.
Five women recently gathered at the Jackson County Courthouse to share their stories and push for reform. Despite the inability to pursue criminal charges, survivors plan civil action and continue advocating for changes to Missouri’s statute of limitations laws.
“All victims who have suffered at the hands of Robert ‘Bobby’ Hawk,” Bounds concluded in a statement to the Kansas City Star, emphasizing the broader impact of the case.
The Missouri House’s recent approval of extended civil statute limitations could affect similar cases in the future. The proposed changes would give survivors more time to seek justice while acknowledging the complex nature of abuse disclosure and reporting.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice
