Pastor Accused Of Child Endangering

Police are investigating a Dayton pastor on misdeamnor charges of endangering children.

Officers said they found the man's 7-year-old boy and infant girl playing unsupervised on a busy street.

The church is the Triumphant Church on Keowee Street.

According to police, they spotted the boy pushing a baby in a stroller in the church parking lot. They said there were no adults watching them, and many cars drive through the lot.

Pastor Anthony Mallory believes his children were safe and said children of his church members play in the church parking lot all the time. Mallory said, "They don't go outside the area I tell them not to go past. I was right here."

Mallory admits he was not outside with the children but said he was just inside the front doors with a full view. "Anybody who knows me knows that I love my children and know I have their best interest at heart," said Mallory.

However, police sent child endangering charges to prosecutors believe that the area was just too dangerous for the kids to be outside alone.

Police reports said they feared "that the kids could have easily been abducted or hit by a car."

Mallory stands by his word that his children were being watched and were never in harm's way. Mallory said, "I preach faith, I'm a man of faith and I'm also a concerned parent. Also, I trust my children enough to be outside with us watching."

City prosecutors said possible misdeamnor charges could be filed through the juvenile prosecutor's office.