A South Carolina police captain is accused of obstructing a child abuse investigation while secretly involved with the suspect. The details are almost too sickening to process: a bleeding child was brought to the hospital, and doctors suspected sexual abuse. But instead of ensuring that child received protection and a forensic exam, Capt. Gregory Block of the McBee Police Department allegedly downplayed the injuries, contradicted medical professionals, and later began a sexual relationship with the very person under suspicion.

According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Block made false statements in official reports and never scheduled the forensic interview he told social workers and doctors he would. The child was brought back to the hospital again days later — still in pain. Meanwhile, investigators say Block was working to suppress evidence, protect the suspect, and prevent proper medical review.

The suspect has now been arrested on charges of obstruction and unlawful conduct toward a child. Capt. Block has been charged with misconduct in office and obstruction of justice — and is currently suspended without pay.

This is more than one officer behaving badly. This is a catastrophic failure of the systems meant to protect children. A police captain tasked with responding to suspected abuse allegedly used his power to interfere with the investigation and protect someone he was personally involved with. If these allegations are true, the child at the center of this case was failed by everyone who should have stepped up.

We are calling on South Carolina’s Attorney General and state oversight officials to launch an independent investigation into the McBee Police Department’s handling of this case. This includes determining whether internal policies were followed, what safeguards failed, and how someone in authority was able to interfere with a child abuse investigation without immediate accountability.

Supporters say law enforcement must never put personal relationships above a child’s safety.

Sign this petition if you believe South Carolina must hold police accountable — and ensure no officer can ever obstruct justice in a child abuse case again.