Police search Brite Divinity office on TCU campus, arrest professor in child porn case
Law enforcement authorities have arrested on suspicion of possession of child pornography a man who was a Brite Divinity School professor and theological librarian when police allege he obtained illicit images.
Charles Bellinger, 62, was taken into custody on Oct. 2 after Fort Worth police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit detectives, TCU police officers and United States Secret Service special agents served a search warrant at Bellinger’s house in Arlington and at his office on the TCU campus.
Bellinger was a professor of theology and ethics. References to Bellinger on the divinity school’s webpages appear to have been removed, but the pages are archived.
TCU and the divinity school share resources but are separate institutions.
The Rev. Stephen Cady, Brite Divinity School’s president, wrote in a Oct. 3 statement that the alleged behavior is repugnant.
“When Brite administration was made aware of this situation, we immediately initiated our own investigation, cooperated with law enforcement, shut down his access to school technology, personnel, and facilities, and placed him on immediate administrative leave before terminating his employment shortly thereafter,” Cady wrote. “He did not teach a single class after we learned of the concern.”
“I am mindful of the ways that some faith institutions have failed in the wake of these situations and am determined that Brite handle this situation consistent with our values and be a part of a more faithful narrative,” Cady wrote. “We will, as a community, get through this difficult moment as we have difficult ones in the past, prayerfully and together. Please do be in prayer for Brite.”
Brite spokesperson Vanessa Daley responded to a question that asked on what date Bellinger was hired with an excerpt of President Cady’s statement.
Holly Ellman, a TCU spokesperson, wrote in a response to questions that “Mr. Bellinger was an employee of Brite Divinity School, which is located on our campus but is not a unit of TCU. He does not presently have any employment relationship with TCU.”
According to the school’s website, “Although Brite Divinity School and Texas Christian University are independent institutions, they have a rich historical relationship and enjoy a shared heritage, affiliation, traditions, and values with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).”
According to Bellinger’s biography from the divinity school’s website, he obtained a master’s degree from TCU in 2013, and also earned degrees from the University of Illinois, the University of Virginia, Pacific School of Religion and Portland State University.
“During my years in graduate school I studied both theology and ethics because the concept of narrow disciplinary boundaries separating the two fields never made sense to me,” Bellinger wrote in the biography. “I also developed a strong interest in reflecting on human psychology from a theological point of view. ... My major theme over the years since college has been reflecting on violence psychologically and ethically.”
Bellinger remained at the Tarrant County Jail on Thursday. A bond has not been set. It is unclear whether a defense attorney has been appointed or retained in the case.
This story was originally published October 3, 2024 at 3:38 PM.
