On June 6, the board of trustees of Truett McConnell University (TMU), a Christian school in Georgia with Southern Baptist ties, announced it is launching a third-party investigation into sexual abuse allegations against former administrator and theology professor Bradley Reynolds. In addition, the board placed longtime TMU President Emir Caner on administrative leave while the investigation is underway.
Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of sexual abuse that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.
On the May 29 episode of The Roys Report (TRR) podcast, TMU alumna and former soccer coach Hayle Swinson alleged that Reynolds—a pastor and the school’s academic services vice president—groomed and sexually abused her for years. After graduating, Swinson worked as a TMU employee from 2013 to 2018, while pursuing an advanced degree.
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Speaking to investigative journalist Julie Roys, Swinson alleged that Reynolds sent her hundreds of emails (many containing sexually explicit language), would “disciple” her in his basement alone, and touched her inappropriately, including digital rape. Swinson also claimed that Reynolds used betrothal theology, telling Swinson he would marry her after his wife died.
Swinson and her supporters—including 30 people who protested outside last Friday’s board meeting—allege that TMU officials, including President Caner, knew about Reynolds’ behavior but failed to act. In a statement, the school said it didn’t learn about abuse allegations until 2024, at which time it placed Reynolds on leave and he then resigned.
TMU, operated by the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, is located in the town of Cleveland and has an enrollment of 2,600. During the third-party investigation, John Yarbrough, the university’s director of alumni and public policy, is serving as acting president.
Former Student Alleges Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up
Swinson, who was a student athlete at TMU, said Reynolds welcomed members of the female soccer team into his home. After weekly Bible studies in the basement, Swinson—a new Christian at the time—was often alone with Reynolds, a husband and father.
According to a lengthy dossier compiled by Swinson’s attorney, Marcia Shein:
Over time, [Reynolds] progressed from just holding hands while praying to his arms around her, his arms around her back to rubbing her back, his hands on her back that eventually moved to her chest… [Reynolds] always told [Swinson] “this is from God”… [Reynolds] continued to progress and started placing his hands in her pants and eventually penetrated her. During these instances, she begged, “Please no.”
The dossier also references emails that Reynolds allegedly sent Swinson, including descriptions of sexual dreams he had about her. In a 2015 email, Reynolds reportedly told Swinson their relationship was God’s will and “a time of commitment which allows some freedoms apparently because there is a commitment (vow) to God.”
On the podcast, Swinson described feeling groomed, confused, targeted, isolated, depressed, and suicidal. “It will take years of my life to unwind every lie that was told to me,” she said. Swinson ended the relationship with Reynolds in 2018, sought counseling, and was encouraged to contact law enforcement about the alleged abuse.
Swinson did so in early 2024, but no criminal charges were filed. Authorities indicated the statute of limitations had expired. In addition, White County Sheriff Rick Kelley said, “We couldn’t apply the [legal] code as we had hoped.” Some wording apparently limited prosecution in abuse cases to students in elementary and high school.
On June 6, Enotha Judicial Circuit District Attorney Jeff Langley said he will review the case and decide whether to prosecute Reynolds.
Truett McConnell University Denies Covering Up Abuse Claims
After TRR published its interview with Swinson, plus an article titled “Truett McConnell University President Accused of Ignoring Yearslong Sexual Abuse by VP,” the school responded the next day via social media.
“While local law enforcement decided not to pursue charges, the fact remains that Dr. Reynolds’ behavior was abhorrent, immoral, manipulative and unethical,” TMU stated in a May 30 post. “We are all shocked and disgusted to learn of his secret side.”
Reynolds notified school leaders in February 2024 “that he was under investigation by the White County Sheriff’s Office regarding an inappropriate relationship,” the university said. At the time, TMU “immediately placed [Reynolds] on administrative leave.”
