Baptist Children’s Counselor Charged With Grooming

The Baptist Press reports:

A mental health counselor for two counseling services in Metro East St. Louis has been charged with five counts related to sexual exploitation of a minor. Matthew S. Cuppett of Collinsville was charged May 5. One count of grooming and two counts of exploitation of a minor under age 17 are felony charges. The alleged victim is a 13-year-old, with incidents occurring over a seven-month period ending in February.

Cuppett, 33, is a professional counselor licensed in Illinois and Missouri. He served with Pathways Counseling, a ministry of the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services of Illinois (BFCHFS), since January 2023. He also served with Metro East Counseling. BCHFS Executive Director Kevin Carrothers said, “We will be praying for all parties involved, and we will continue to monitor the situation. We will be available to any families who may have concerns.”

The Belleville News-Democrat reports:

Charges allege that Matthew S. Cuppett, 33 performed sexual acts in the presence of a minor between July 19, 2024, and February 21, 2025.

The case was investigated by the Collinsville Police Department via a Department of Children and Family Services report, according to a release from the police department.

As of Tuesday, Cuppett remained in custody at the Madison County Jail pending a detention hearing, which has been rescheduled for Thursday at 1:30 p.m., according to circuit clerk records.

It’s what Jesus would want.

Matthew S. Cuppett, 33, Pathways Counseling counselor, a ministry of the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services of Illinois (BFCHFS), has been charged w felony child grooming, 2 felony counts sexual exploitation of a child & 2 misdemeanor counts sexual exploitation of a… pic.twitter.com/PobNBOP2RH

— 𝐁𝐞𝐤𝐬 (@antifaoperative) May 8, 2025