Pearl River County, MS – Authorities in Mississippi have arrested a man and his mother following an investigation into the pregnancy of a 14-year-old girl, with charges including statutory rape, human trafficking, and alleged interference with the inquiry. The arrests of Dawson James Brown, 27, and Sabrina Brown, 54, occurred on July 17, stemming from a referral initiated by the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services.
The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office began its investigation on June 30 after receiving an anonymous complaint regarding the pregnant juvenile. This complaint prompted a comprehensive inquiry that ultimately led to felony arrest warrants for both individuals. Investigators have not publicly identified the 14-year-old girl and have urged the public to refrain from sharing any information that could lead to her identification.
Dawson James Brown was charged with one count of statutory rape, one count of human trafficking, and two counts of sexual battery. His mother, Sabrina Brown, faces charges of conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence, attempted tampering with physical evidence, and child neglect. The charges indicate a multi-faceted alleged crime, encompassing both the alleged abuse and subsequent attempts to obstruct justice.
According to court documents and local reports, investigators believe the alleged abuse took place while the teenager was residing in the Brown household. The pregnancy is thought to have originated in late 2025, a time when the girl was reportedly 13 years old. The investigation also uncovered connections between the Brown family and New Heights/College Heights Baptist Church in Poplarville, as reported by Law & Crime.
Digital evidence played a significant role in the ongoing investigation. Detectives reportedly searched Dawson Brown’s cellphone and recovered images, videos, and electronic communications that allegedly depict sexual contact between Brown and the victim. Furthermore, communications reviewed by authorities during the investigation reportedly identified Dawson Brown as the father of the unborn child. It is important to note that the allegations contained within the charging documents have not yet been proven in a court of law.
Sabrina Brown’s charges specifically relate to her alleged attempts to interfere with the investigation. Authorities allege that she tried to obstruct law enforcement’s examination of the pregnancy after becoming aware of the inquiry. Court documents cited by WLOX reportedly state that investigators believe Sabrina Brown directed the juvenile to provide false DNA-related information to authorities. Detectives also cited text messages that they say showed Sabrina Brown attempting to “coerce, direct and instruct” the girl regarding the information she provided during the investigation. These actions form the basis of her charges related to tampering with evidence and child neglect.
The investigation has also led to a third arrest. Court records cited by WLOX include allegations involving the child’s mother, Kendrell Bowden, who was arrested on Tuesday. Investigators stated that Bowden informed authorities that Dawson Brown admitted to being the father of the baby. The records further allege that Bowden received money and other favors from Dawson Brown after becoming aware of the relationship. The Express reported that Kendrell Bowden was charged with human trafficking and contributing to the neglect or delinquency of a child, suggesting a broader network of alleged complicity.
Following their arrests, Sabrina Brown posted a $10,000 bond and has been released from custody. Dawson Brown, however, remains jailed without bond after a judge determined him to be a flight risk, underscoring the severity of the charges against him. Officials have stressed that the investigation remains active and ongoing, with the possibility of additional arrests as new information emerges. The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Office has encouraged anyone with credible information related to the case to come forward and contact their office to assist with the continuing inquiry. The legal proceedings for all arrested parties are expected to unfold in the coming months as evidence is presented and adjudicated.
