A Liberty County congregation is reeling after a local pastor was arrested this week on child sex charges that investigators say trace back to early 2024. George Finney, 52, who has led New Life Kenefick since 2016, was taken into custody after a juvenile confided in an adult, prompting a police report and a months‑long investigation.
The report was filed on June 19, according to ABC13. Jail records show Finney was arrested Monday and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, indecency with a child by exposure and assault on a family member that included an allegation of restricted breathing. Investigators told authorities the alleged abuse began in January 2024.
Chief Deputy Billy Knox of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office said Finney was apprehended “without incident,” according to the Houston Chronicle. County jail records show Finney is being held in the Liberty County Jail with a total bond of $150,000, set at $50,000 on each charge, according to Bluebonnet News.
New Life Kenefick’s website still lists Finney’s name and photo and describes him as a “loving, fun, and energetic pastor,” according to New Life Kenefick. The page also includes the church’s Dayton‑area address and contact information. Church leaders have not responded to media requests regarding Finney’s arrest.
Legal implications
Under Chapter 21 of the Texas Penal Code, continuous sexual abuse of a young child is treated as its own offense, allowing prosecutors to present an alleged pattern of behavior instead of isolated incidents. The statute classifies the crime as a first‑degree felony, with penalties ranging from 25 years to life in prison and typically requiring lifetime registration as a sex offender, per the Texas Penal Code.
What’s next
Investigators say they are not ruling out the possibility of additional victims as the case unfolds. Bluebonnet News reported Finney was arrested at his Dayton home. Court filings and official dockets have not yet been released, leaving the public to wait for more detailed allegations to surface in the legal record.
