Southaven's Getwell Church fired Youth Pastor Lindsey Whiteside and promptly reported her to law enforcement after it discovered she molested a teen girl at the church last year.
Whiteside was convicted of sexual battery of a child in Desoto County Circuit Court last week. Special Guest Star Andrew Howorth sentenced her to serve three years of house arrest. Speculation ran rampant on what did Getwell Church know and when did it know it.
Getwell announced the termination in a November 6, 2024 letter to the congregation immediately after it discovered the Whiteside's misdeeds:
Yesterday morning, an allegation was brought to Getwell Church leadership regarding potential misconduct of Lindsey Whiteside, an employee of Getwell Church. The alleged misconduct required immediate attention and investigation. Upon investigation, the allegations were proven valid, resulting in the agreed termination of Lindsey Whiteside in accordance with Getwell Church Employee Handbook and behavioral conduct policies. Getwell’s Personnel Committee was made aware and the Personnel Committee lead was consulted as policy was followed.
Getwell Church’s employment policy requires termination of employment in this instance for the protection of all. In the interim, Getwell Hernando Student Ministry will be co-led by XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXXX.
Getwell Church leadership asks for continued prayers from the congregation during this time of navigation and transition. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to the leadership with any questions or concerns.
The Church did not stop at firing Whiteside but promptly reported her actions to law enforcement. Due to the investigation, Getwell could not comment until after the case was adjudicated. Getwell provided a full update on what transpired in another letter to the congregation.
21 comments:
Thanks for standing with the victim & reporting.
Damage control of optics much? The Church support the DA in identifying who in their congregation wrote letters supporting a convicted pedophile, and have them banished. Otherwise, their legal position may shield them from financial liability, but it means nothing at all really - they will need to re-establish their moral reputation now, if they had one.
It's a rarity when a church doesn't sweep stuff like this under the rug. Props!
@1:22 Ignore part of the story much? "Due to the investigation, Getwell could not comment until after the case was adjudicated." Or do you feel like just bashing the church for no real reason?
KF, I know this doesn't exactly pertain to this story, but why was Howorth hearing this and not the other Circuit Court Judges? Did they both have a conflict? Haven't heard and was just wondering.
1:22. . .What? What more could the church do? What did the church do that requires them to "restore their moral reputation"? Please do inform us.
Judge Howorth has now recused himself from the case.
https://www.actionnews5.com/2025/10/21/judge-recuses-self-further-involvement-lindsey-whiteside-case/
The sitting judge in the district recused, so Howorth was appointed by the Mississippi Supreme Court to hear the case.
@2:40 The 2 DeSoto Circuit Court judges recused themselves due to conflicts.
Publicly support the District Attorney in his pursuit of Justice - anything else and you're "on the fence" just covering your ass. Full stop.
Ewww @2:30pm.
You must be one of the letter writers supporting the child rapist. A teen was sexually used repeatedly by a monster, and the whole of DeSoto County should be standing shoulder to shoulder with her and her family expressing as much outrage as DA Barton. Instead - select members of her church circled the wagons and defended the wolf among them, instead of putting it in a cage where it belongs to protect other children in the community.
And you're concerned about "bashing"?.....unreal. You're indifference and lack of compassion for the victim is noted.
"The document also mentions that Barton criticized the court’s sentence, implying it was too lenient or “illegal.” However, the judge points out that Barton’s office has previously recommended illegal, overly lenient sentences in other sex offender cases. "
Ooops.
@3:08 grow up you pearl clutching Karen. Not a single one of you, KF included, would care if she was fingered by a fellow high schooler. Weird how people who dont have sex seem to be the most offended by sex havers.
Geeeze... it's "your" indifference
October 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM, who are you that you have the moral superiority to determine who needs atonement, and what that atonement should be?
October 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM, maybe you should get you some pearls to clutch, then maybe you wouldn't be posting your irreverent, hedonistic, GOD hating post.
"The Church did not stop at firing Whiteside but promptly reported her actions to law enforcement."
My understanding is that such reporting is a requirement by law.
@3:47-
Is that with or without consent?
That matters.
The church letter was drafted by their attorneys. Count on it. If you think they're going to admit any responsibility toward any contrition, it ain't gonna happen. That's what's sickening about this whole thing.
The church followed the law and people here criticize for only following the law. No one in church leadership supported Whiteside, apparently some member(s) did support Whiteside. The church is not a mind control cult that dictates how and when people speak. But here people criticize the church for not acting as a mind control cult.
The church is damned if it does and damned if it doesn't. Face it, some people just hate no matter the facts.
This is a terrible situation. Given the facts presented here, I am led to believe the Church acted appropriately and timely. What little voice I have, I am plan to use it to pray for the Church and its Congregation.
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