A North Texas Christian author couple faces severe child abuse charges following an investigation by the Keene Police Department. The case began with a teacher’s report on September 24, 2026. The educator reported that a 14-year-old girl displayed visible physical injuries to her head and face, triggering a multi-agency response that uncovered ongoing allegations of abuse.
Seth Michael Day, 39, and Heather Marie Day, 39, both residents of Keene, Texas-situated southwest of Fort Worth-were taken into custody and booked into the Johnson County Jail. Seth Day was charged with injury to a child and a first-degree felony count of of a child. Heather Marie Day was charged with injury to a child by omission, a third-degree felony.
How the Keene Police Investigation Began
According to arrest warrant affidavits released by the Keene Police Department, the investigation launched on September 24, 2026, after a high school teacher noticed alarming injuries on a 14-year-old student. The victim was promptly transported to the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center, where she participated in an emergency forensic interview.
During the interview, the teenager detailed a pattern of ongoing abuse. She told investigators that she was last assaulted by Seth Day on September 22, 2026, stating that he carried out the attacks out of anger. The victim reported that Seth struck her in the face and chest with her own cell phone while Heather Day and two other siblings were present inside the home. The physical assault left the victim with visible lacerations and multiple bruises, which were later documented by Keene police detectives and treated at Cook Children’s Medical Center.
While receiving medical care at the hospital, the victim made a further disclosure, stating that Seth Day had also s*xually assaulted her on September 22. Following these revelations, detectives executed a search warrant at the family’s residence, recovering physical evidence related to the allegations.
Allegations Against Heather Marie Day
Investigators stated that Heather Marie Day was present during the September 22 assault and failed to intervene or report the incident to authorities. The arrest affidavit outlines a history of concealed abuse:
- The victim stated she repeatedly informed Heather of the ongoing abuse, but Heather never notified law enforcement or child welfare agencies.
- When Heather took the victim to medical facilities following previous assaults, she allegedly told medical staff that she did not know how her daughter sustained her injuries.
- Heather is accused of attempting to persuade the teen to lie about the source of her injuries.
- Investigators noted Heather encouraged the victim to wear a face mask at school to hide her bruises and falsely claimed the teenager suffered from hereditary angioedema, a rare autoimmune disease that causes swelling. Police confirmed that while the medical condition does cause swelling, it does not explain the lacerations and trauma observed by medical personnel.
Prior Child Protective Services Involvements
The arrest affidavits indicate that this was not the first time authorities scrutinized the family’s living situation. The victim told investigators about earlier abuse, including an incident previously investigated by Child Protective Services (CPS) in August 2026 while the family resided in Midland, Texas. According to CPS records cited by police, the family previously moved out of another Keene residence to escape a separate CPS inquiry. State-level records show previous reports had been closed, with the Midland case being the most recent prior intervention.
Background on the Couple and Institutional Response
Both suspects are prominent figures in Christian publishing and ministry circles:
- Heather Marie Day (who writes professionally as Heather Thompson Day) is a well-known Christian author, podcast host, and former communication professor.
- Seth Michael Day served as an assistant professor of psychology at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas.
- Together, the couple co-authored the best-selling Christian relationship guide titled “I’ll See You Tomorrow,” which advocates for biblical relationship endurance and forgiveness.
Following Seth Day’s arrest, Southwestern Adventist University released a public statement confirming his status:
“We are fully cooperating with law enforcement. We understand that the current allegations do not involve SWAU students, staff, or other faculty members. The safety of our University community remains our first priority. We will share additional details as appropriate.”
University officials confirmed that Seth Day has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Court records indicate that both suspects received bonds set at $100,000 for the initial injury charges, with an additional bond levied against Seth Day for the first-degree felony count. The Keene Police Department emphasizes that the criminal investigation remains active and ongoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Seth and Heather Day?
Seth Michael Day and Heather Marie Day are 39-year-old North Texas residents, Christian authors, and public speakers. Heather hosts a Christian podcast and writes under the name Heather Thompson Day, while Seth worked as an assistant professor of psychology at Southwestern Adventist University. Together, they co-authored the relationship book I’ll See You Tomorrow.
What specific charges do the couple face?
Seth Day faces charges including injury to a child and a first-degree felony count of of a child. Heather Day has been charged with injury to a child by omission, a third-degree felony, for allegedly failing to intervene, failing to report the abuse, and attempting to conceal her daughter’s injuries.
How did the police investigation begin?
The investigation started on September 24, 2026, after a high school teacher in North Texas noticed visible injuries on a 14-year-old student and contacted the Keene Police Department. The student was subsequently taken to the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center for an emergency forensic interview.
What university was Seth Day associated with, and how did they respond?
Seth Day was an assistant professor of psychology at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas. Following his arrest, the university immediately placed him on administrative leave and stated it is fully cooperating with local law enforcement while prioritizing campus safety.
Have there been previous child welfare investigations involving the family?
Yes. Arrest affidavits note that the victim detailed prior incidents of abuse, including a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation in Midland, Texas, in August 2026. Investigators also noted that the family previously relocated from another Keene address due to a prior CPS report.
