Eric Crawford

Haslet’s Heritage Baptist Church parents and former members were relieved when pastor Eric Crawford stepped down from his position in March after his son was outed as a registered sex offender. Now, the congregation might reinstate him.

When reached by phone Tuesday, church secretary Sim Stone said the congregation will vote on Eric Crawford’s leadership Sunday evening during regular services. She declined to answer several other questions from The Dallas Morning News regarding the procedure.

Eric Crawford was “temporarily relieved” of ministry duties on Feb. 19 after his son, Caleb Crawford, was fired. When Eric Crawford resigned his position three days later, church officials said they planned to bolster hiring rules and regulations by increasing security measures, auditing background checks and implementing a new visitor access system.

Eric Crawford did not respond to an email message seeking comment. The News also left voicemails at a phone number listed in public records under his name and at the church’s adjoining school.

Caleb Crawford spent two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to indecency with a child by contact. He was released in 2018, court records show. Caleb Crawford’s attorney did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

In a previous statement on social media, Eric Crawford said he had allowed his son to “assist by leading music and performing certain maintenance work as an independent contractor” at the church and its adjoining school, Heritage Christian Academy.

Caleb Crawford was terminated following concerns about his background from parents whose children attended the academy, though he was still allowed to attend the church's public worship, according to a previous church statement.

After his conviction, Caleb Crawford signed documents that stated his duty to register as a sex offender annually for the rest of his life, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. He also signed a form stating he would report any change in his name, workplace or educational status.

He has not reported any employment changes since 2021 and has listed his work address as being in Fort Worth, though the church and academy are in Haslet, according to the affidavit.

His case has been assigned a defense attorney and a prosecutor who works for the Tarrant County district attorney’s office. The next court date is set for Aug. 12.

Katie Thompson, who created the Change.org petition urging Eric Crawford to step down, continues to closely follow the church’s leadership and employment decisions. She said her biggest concern is the safety of the children at the church’s school.

Dani Jo Gunderson, who pulled her three children from the academy after finding out about Caleb Crawford, expressed a similar sentiment: worry for the remaining children and disappointment toward the potential outcome. “He will likely be voted back in by members of the church,” Gunderson said. “Truly sad, but I’m not surprised.”

Heritage Christian Academy is accredited by the American Association of Christian Schools, which did not immediately respond to phone and email requests for comment. Online records with the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission say the academy enrolls just over 200 students and lists Eric Crawford as principal.