A married couple who have written Christian books, including a bestselling book by Heather, are now facing felony charges accusing them of harming a child. Heather Thompson Day was arrested on charges of intentionally or negligently injuring a child, while her husband, Seth Day, was arrested on charges of injuring a child and sexual assault of a child, following their booking into the Johnson County jail on September 24, 2026.
The couple, both 39, were booked in Keene, Texas, a town of about 6,000 residents roughly 30 miles south of Fort Worth, according to Roys Report. Heather Thompson Day was released on a $100,000 bond, while Seth Day was released on a $350,000 bond, per that outlet's reporting. A more detailed breakdown reported by Religion News Service shows that Seth Day's arrest report from the Keene Police Department set bond at $250,000 specifically for the sexual assault of a child charge filed on September 25, 2026, separate from the initial $100,000 bonds jail records show were set for both Days on the original child injury charges.
Seth Day was formally charged with the second felony, sexual assault of a child, by the Johnson County District Attorney's Office on September 25, 2026, one day after the couple's initial booking. Arrest records and charging documents laying out the specific allegations are not yet publicly available, and prosecutors have declined to release additional information, according to Roys Report. Jason W. Buchanan told that outlet the investigation remains ongoing.
What the Charges Could Mean
Under Texas Penal Code § 22.04, intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to a child under 15 is a third-degree felony carrying 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, while causing serious bodily injury intentionally can carry a sentence of up to 99 years or life, according to L&L Law Group. That statute also allows charges to be brought over omissions, not just direct acts, when an adult or guardian owed a duty of care to a child under 15, the firm notes. Roys Report reports that Heather Thompson Day faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years, while Seth Day faces a maximum of 109 years given the combined charges against him.
Texas law defines sexual assault of a child as penetration or oral contact with the sexual organs of someone under 17, per Roys Report's reporting. Under Texas Penal Code § 22.011, that offense applies to any sexual contact or penetration involving a minor under 17, and state law explicitly holds that a minor's consent carries no legal weight as a defense, according to the Whalen Law Office.
From Andrews University to North Texas
Heather Thompson Day and Seth Day have known each other since sixth grade and have been married more than 15 years, with three children together, according to Roys Report. Before relocating to the Keene area in June 2026, both had served as faculty members at Andrews University, a Seventh-day Adventist school in Berrien Springs, Michigan, per Religion News Service's reporting. Heather Thompson Day earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in communication and her doctorate in higher education administration with a communication cognate at Andrews, according to a profile on EverybodyWiki, before she went on to teach communications at Colorado Christian University.
Seth Day worked as a Seventh-day Adventist youth pastor before becoming a psychology professor focused on grief, trauma and learned helplessness, Roys Report reports, adding that he had not previously been accused of sexual misconduct. He most recently taught as a psychology professor at Southwestern Adventist University.
University and Publisher Respond
Southwestern Adventist University suspended Seth Day following his arrest and said it is fully cooperating with authorities and does not believe any students were in danger, according to Roys Report. In a separate statement reported by JubileeCast, the university said the criminal allegations do not involve SWAU students, faculty, or staff, and that campus safety remains its top priority.
Christianity Today has removed all episodes of Heather Thompson Day's Viral Jesus podcast from its website, Roys Report reports. Day, a Seventh-day Adventist, wrote the bestselling 2021 book It's Not Your Turn and had roughly 50,000 Twitter/X followers after two years on the platform. Author Beth Moore has said Day was willing to be vulnerable if it helped others feel less alone, and Day herself has said she received messages from people who returned to church after finding her on Twitter.
The couple co-authored a 2022 book on relational resilience, I'll See You Tomorrow, which was inspired by a line from Michael Jordan's trainer following a playoff loss shown in the 1990s Chicago Bulls documentary The Last Dance, according to Andrews University. Day also co-authored a children's picture book with her daughter titled Can I Sit Here? A Story about Feeling Lonely, Being Brave, and Making Friends, Religion News Service reports.
Neither Heather Thompson Day nor Seth Day responded to an individual email requesting comment, per Roys Report. Day has not mentioned the charges on social media, and her weekly inspirational message, Friday Night Light, was reportedly sent out the day after her arrest. A close family friend told Roys Report that Day was shocked and blindsided by the allegations. Writer Jenai Auman said she was trying to process cynicism, rage and grief, while author Sarah Bessey said she was shocked and shaken by the allegations.
Local Child Welfare Cases in Johnson County
The case adds to a string of recent child protection prosecutions in Johnson County. A former Johnson County communications technician pleaded guilty to child exploitation charges and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. It remains unclear whether a Johnson County grand jury will formally return indictments in the case against the Days, and the identity of the alleged victim has not been disclosed.
