OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A 40-year-old man was arrested after being accused of sexually abusing foster children in his care, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
During a press conference on Tuesday evening, Sheriff Marcos Lopez announced they began an investigation in November 2024 when a child reported being sexually abused from ages 6 to 8 by Daniel Lamppin.
Deputies said a second victim, who is now an adult, reported being sexually abused by Lamppin starting at age 16 and “continued for years.”
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
During Tuesday’s press conference, Sheriff Lopez said Lamppin was a youth pastor at a church in St. Cloud, but on Wednesday officials from the Connection Church said that he only did sound at the church for the main service and did not work with children.
Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez addresses the arrest of Daniel R. Lamppin, who faces charges of Sexual Battery by a Custodian. Lamppin has had access to children through his employment at the Chick-fil-A on South OBT in Orlando and as a youth pastor at Connection Church in Kissimmee. If you or someone you know may have been a victim, we urge you to come forward. Please contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222. Your voice matters, and you are not alone. #OsceolaSheriff #SheriffLopez #CommunityFirst #PublicSafety #Accountability #SpeakUp #ProtectOurChildren #OsceolaCounty #Kissimmee #StCloud #Poinciana #BuenaventuraLakes
Posted by Osceola County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Lopez said that based on the fact that Lamppin was a foster parent and through his work as an the church, there is a concern there could be more victims.
If you or someone you know may have been a victim please contact the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office at 407-348-2222.
The Connection Church released a statement on Wednesday regarding the investigation which can be read below:
“The Connection Church acknowledges that an investigation involving allegations related to Daniel Lamppin is currently underway. We want to assure our congregation and the broader community that The Connection Church is fully cooperating with all authorities involved in this process and have already spoken to the lead investigator on this case. For clarity, Daniel Lamppin is not a volunteer youth pastor at the Connection Church.Our priority remains the well-being of everyone connected to our church community. We are committed to fostering a safe, accountable, and Christ-honoring environment for worship, service, and fellowship. We ask for your prayers during this time—for those directly impacted, for our church leadership, and for the truth to prevail.”
Connection Church
Lamppin faces 24 counts of sexual battery by a custodian, officials said.
On Monday, May 2, officials said that as they continued to investigate, they obtained an additional arrest warrant for Lamppin. He now faces two additional charges of sexual battery, lewd and lascivious molestation and child abuse.
Investigators said the warrant was served to Lamppin while he was in custody for the original charges.
He is being held without bond, deputies said.