Image sources: Iglesia Cristiana Sanidad Divina, courtesy of LoopNet. Walter Sevillano, courtesy of Harford County Sheriff’s Office, as published by WMAR-2 News.
A former Baltimore County pastor is facing criminal charges in a child sex abuse case reported to have occurred from 2023 to 2025.
Walter Sevillano, 37, was a pastor at Iglesia Cristiana Sanidad Divina (translated to Divine Healing Christian Church) in Dundalk, Maryland.
Allegations Against Walter Sevillano
According to court records, Sevillano was arrested on Friday, September 12, and charged with two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree sexual offense as a person in a position of authority and one felony count of sex abuse of a minor.
Sevillano allegedly began abusing a 16-year-old church member in 2023. A member of the church for six years, she believed Sevillano was someone she could trust and began confiding in him about her parents’ divorce. (WMAR-2 News) In addition to preaching, he oversaw the church’s youth group and choir, roles that placed him in a position of trust and authority over minors, including the victim.
Allegedly, Sevillano began driving the victim to and from church alone. He encouraged her to communicate with him secretly through the Telegram app, where he sent her pornography. Police say that he sexually assaulted her multiple times in different locations, including inside the church van, the church office, the church attic, his car, and “a house he was working on.” (CBS)
According to WMAR-2 News, “The victim described being sexually abused and raped…almost daily from about December 2023 to about March 2025.”
Law enforcement said that the victim and her family have been subjected to repeated harassment from Sevillano and his relatives since the investigation began. (WMAR-2 News)
Sevillano was held at the Harford County Detention Center before posting bail the same day he was arrested.
Detectives believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information related to this case is urgent to contact Baltimore County’s Crimes Against Children Unit at 410-887-7720.
The Illusion of Trust
In August 2025, Sevillano preached a sermon titled, “No te Canses de hacer el bien” translated as“Do not tire of doing good,” which was published on YouTube.
On his Facebook page, he identifies himself as a “public figure” and has posted clips of his preaching. His profile picture shows him at the pulpit, and his cover photo displays the word “Jesus” inside a colorfully lit church filled with worshipping congregants.
This carefully crafted image of a devoted religious leader stands in sharp contrast to the current abuse allegations, underscoring how abusers may leverage positions of authority to appear trustworthy while harming those who rely on them for guidance.
Institutional Responsibility
Iglesia Cristiana Sanidad Divina has not responded to requests for comment from news outlets. At the time of this writing, photos and videos of Sevillano remain on the church’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, and website.
But the allegations against Sevillano raise questions about the responsibility of the church, which presents itself as a bilingual Christian ministry with multiple services. Their mission, according to their Google profile, “is to accept, assimilate, love, and apply the word of God in our lives.” (translated from Spanish)
Religious institutions have a duty to safeguard children, respond promptly to concerns, and implement safeguards to prevent abuse. That responsibility includes careful screening and supervision of leaders, ensuring appropriate boundaries in youth programs, and following mandatory reporting requirements when misconduct is suspected.
When churches fail in these basic protections, they not only put children at risk but also expose themselves to civil liability. Through civil lawsuits, survivors can seek justice, secure financial resources for healing, and hold institutions accountable for the harm that occurred under their leadership.
Andreozzi and Foote: Fighting for Survivors
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of sexual abuse in Maryland and nationwide. Our trauma-informed legal team is committed to helping survivors pursue justice through civil action.
If you or someone you love was harmed by Walter Sevillano or another religious leader, we are here to listen and fight for you.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to learn more about your legal options.
