Baltimore County officials just announced the arrest of former Dundalk pastor Walter Sevillano on charges related to child sex abuse. According to publicly available online court records cited in local reporting, Sevillano faces two counts of fourth-degree sex offense and one count of sex abuse of a minor.
Police say the alleged conduct occurred between 2023 and 2025 at both his Baltimore County residence and at the church where he previously served as pastor.
Baltimore County Police identified the congregation as Iglesia Cristiana Sanidad Divina — translated as Divine Healing Christian Church — a bilingual ministry that has offered services online and at a physical location in Dundalk.
As reports note, church representatives declined to comment, and Sevillano did not respond to requests for comment.
At the time of the article in the Baltimore Banner, no defense attorney was listed in the court docket. Records indicate he was being held at the Harford County Detention Center before posting a $10,000 bond and being released on Friday. The investigation remains ongoing.
Baltimore County Arrest Highlights Ongoing Institutional Abuse Risks
The arrest adds to a broader trend Baltimore County authorities have observed in recent years: allegations of child sexual abuse involving religious leaders, educators, and youth sports personnel.
While each case must be adjudicated on its own facts and the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law, the pattern underscores a painful reality — institutional settings that serve children can be exploited by those who intend harm.
For survivors and families in Maryland, it is essential to understand the legal options available today, including the powerful protections afforded by the Maryland Child Victims Act.
Who is Walter Sevillano, and what do we know from public reports?
Role: Former pastor of Iglesia Cristiana Sanidad Divina in Dundalk, a bilingual Christian ministry with in-person and online services.
Allegations and charges: Online court records reflect charges of sex abuse of a minor and two counts of fourth-degree sex offense tied to incidents alleged to have taken place between 2023 and 2025, both at the church and at a Baltimore County home.
Current status: Records indicate Sevillano now lives in Abingdon, Maryland. He was held at the Harford County Detention Center before release on a $10,000 bond. At the time of the news report, no attorney was listed for him, and the church provided no comment.
As the case proceeds, additional information may become available about the timeline, any prior complaints, institutional responses, and investigative findings.
For now, what is clear is that Maryland law recognizes the unique dynamics of sexual abuse, including the complex, often delayed process of disclosure.
A troubling trend: Religious, academic, and youth sports child molestation cases surface across Baltimore County
Delayed disclosure is common and a big reason why the laws changed. Survivors of child sexual abuse frequently delay disclosure well into adulthood.
Shame, fear of not being believed, grooming by a trusted authority figure, religious or cultural pressure, and trauma-related memory processes can prevent a survivor from coming forward for years or even decades.
Recognizing these realities, Maryland enacted the Child Victims Act, removing the civil statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Put simply, adults of any age who were abused as children in Maryland can bring civil claims against the institutions that enabled or failed to prevent the abuse, and where appropriate, their abusers.
How prevalent is institutional child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church?
Investigations across the United States and in Maryland have documented widespread abuse. There have been systemic institutional failures in the Catholic Church for many decades.
Public reporting in Maryland has identified thousands of victims and numerous credibly accused clergy associated with church institutions.
Multiple newsrooms and governmental bodies have published databases and reports that detail the scope and patterns of abuse, transfers of clergy, and institutional responses.
While the present arrest involves a pastor of a Christian congregation not identified as part of the Catholic Church, the broader discussion of institutional abuse is relevant.
Survivors from many faith traditions and institutional settings — Catholic, Protestant, non-denominational, schools, camps, and youth sports — have reported similar grooming tactics, breaches of trust, and long-term trauma.
This is not an issue confined to a single denomination. It is a public safety and public health crisis that demands transparency, accountability, and survivor-centered justice.
What the Maryland Child Victims Act means for survivors of Child Sex Abuse
No civil time limit: The law allows adults of any age to file civil lawsuits for child sexual abuse that occurred in Maryland. Claims that were previously “time-barred” may now proceed.
Institutional accountability: In addition to claims against the individual perpetrator, survivors may have claims against institutions that employed or supervised the abuser, or that failed to take reasonable steps to protect children once they knew or should have known about risks.
Your voice matters, regardless of criminal charges: Civil cases can proceed even if criminal charges are never filed or cannot be brought due to different standards of proof or prosecutorial discretion.
Trauma-informed process: The civil system can provide monetary compensation for harms as well as the discovery process that may uncover how and why institutional failures occurred. For many survivors, accountability and validation are as important as compensation.
Next steps for Maryland survivors considering legal action
Document your memories and evidence.
Write down what you recall: Names, locations, approximate dates, people you told at the time. Any details about the environment or grooming tactics. Keep any journals, emails, letters, photographs, yearbooks, or program rosters that may corroborate access and opportunity.
Consider counseling. A trauma-informed therapist can offer support during disclosure and during the legal decision-making process.
Speak with an experienced legal team. A law firm that regularly handles institutional child sexual abuse cases in Maryland can assess the facts. They can explain legal options under the Child Victims Act and protect your privacy.
You are in control. Talking to a lawyer does not obligate you to file a case. You decide if, when, and how to proceed. Your safety and well-being come first.
A note on presumption of innocence and survivor support
In any criminal matter, the accused is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. That legal principle coexists with a survivor-centered approach that treats those who report abuse with dignity, seriousness, and support.
The courts resolve criminal guilt, while civil law and trauma-informed care give survivors avenues to seek justice and healing.
The Yost Legal Group’s commitment to Maryland survivors of Child Sex Abuse
The Yost Legal Group has long represented survivors of institutional child sexual abuse in Maryland. Our team understands the courage it takes to come forward and the need for privacy, respect, and steady guidance.
We conduct sensitive investigations, collaborate with trauma-informed professionals, and pursue accountability from both individuals and institutions responsible for harm.
We offer free, confidential consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Were you abused as a child in Maryland? You can come forward at any age under the Maryland Child Victims Act. You have options, and you have support. Whether the abuse occurred in a church, school, youth program, or other setting, you can seek justice.
Contact The Yost Legal Group today for a confidential consultation:
Phone: (800)-YOST-LAW or (800-967-8529)
Text: 1-410-659-6800
Website: https://www.yostlaw.com/
You are not alone. Your story matters. In Maryland, the law now provides a path for you to be heard and seek justice.
Child Sex Abuse – Maryland Child Victims Act – Institutional Child Sexual Abuse
