A South Carolina police captain was arrested on Thursday amid claims that he concealed evidence in a child sexual abuse case.
McBee police Captain Gregory Block, 40, was called to the hospital in October 2024, after Janece Curtiss, 34, claimed her child fell into a refrigerator while home alone. A doctor who believed the child had been sexually abused contacted police, as hospital staff also concluded Curtiss’ explanation was inconsistent with her child’s injuries, according to WIS.
Curtiss allegedly told Block that a sex offender had been loitering in the area. The child was reassessed and released, with the doctor expecting Block and Curtiss to seek additional treatment for the child.
Though Block initially called the Department of Social Services, he reportedly called the agency again an hour later and said the child’s injuries were consistent with an unidentified third party’s claims. Block then stated he would investigate and cancelled the agency’s response, according to WIS.
Officials stated that Block’s report, the result of this purported investigation, was incomplete and misleading.
Four days later, Curtiss’ child was hospitalized again for blood in their urine, issues urinating, and a foul odor. According to WIS, Block said he was not concerned that the child was being sexually assaulted.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division claimed Block and Curtiss started a sexual relationship after this incident. The child was not taken for additional medical treatment, and SLED found no evidence that a forensic interview took place despite Block’s claims to DSS and medical personnel. The agency said there was no indication that any medical facility received documents to review in this case.
DSS began investigating in July, after Curtiss allegedly refused to bring her child in for a forensic interview. Officials said she also urged the doctor change the medical report to say there was no evidence of sexual abuse.
“Block never scheduled a forensic interview … as he told DSS and medical providers that he would,” officials concluded, according to the Belleville News-Democrat.
Block was charged with misconduct in office as well as obstruction of justice, while Curtiss is charged with unlawful conduct towards a child and obstruction of justice. Both of them are free on $5,000 bail.
McBee officials said they are aware of the allegations against Block, who is suspended without pay. WSOC-TV reported that the entire police department is under investigation.
[Feature Photo: Chesterfield County Detention Center]
