Nationwide — Myron Chorbajian, a former pastor from Greenville, South Carolina, faces dozens of charges for abusing his adopted children. He and his wife allegedly forced kids to eat trash and dirt, bury a dog he killed, and subjected them to sexual and physical abuse over decades.
Chorbajian led 1st Southern Methodist Church before his May 2025 arrest. Authorities launched an investigation after a victim reported years of abuse dating back to the 1980s, including physical beatings, sexual assault, and psychological torment.
Court documents describe horrifying acts. According to People, Myron allegedly punched children, forced them to sleep in trash cans, and eat garbage or dirt. Some kids were made to search dumpsters for rotten food, while others were beaten with belts or paddled until unconscious.
Animal cruelty was also part of the abuse. He reportedly ran over a child’s kitten, shot it, and killed a dog in front of a child, then made the child bury it. Multiple victims were also sexually assaulted, according to the arrest records.
Kathleen Chorbajian, his wife, allegedly knew about some abuse but did not report it. Both were arrested in Nashville and returned to Greenville, facing charges including criminal sexual conduct, incest, assault, and child endangerment.
Additional charges came in 2025 and 2026, including assault with intent to kill. Kathleen was later released on house arrest with strict conditions, while Myron remains in custody as his case continues.