Christian author, speaker and social media influencer Heather Thompson Day has been arrested in Texas over allegations that she failed to intervene after her husband, Seth Day, allegedly abused their teenage daughter.

The couple were arrested on September 24 in Keene, Texas, after a high school teacher reportedly raised concerns about injuries observed on the girl and contacted authorities. Both were initially charged with injury to a child.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the girl told investigators that Seth had repeatedly physically abused her and that, during an incident on September 22, he allegedly struck her in the face and chest with her mobile phone, leaving bruises and lacerations.

Investigators documented the injuries after speaking with the teenager. The affidavit also alleged that previous incidents involving the family had been reported to Texas Child Protective Services, with the most recent investigation recorded on August 8, 2026.

The allegations against Heather Thompson Day centre on claims that she knew about the abuse but did not report or intervene. Her daughter reportedly told investigators that her mother had previously taken her for medical treatment but told healthcare workers that she did not know how the injuries occurred.

The affidavit further alleges that after the latest incident, Heather tried to prevent the girl from going to school and bought her a mask to cover injuries to her face when the teenager refused to stay home.

Seth Day, an assistant professor of psychology at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, was initially charged with injury to a child. He was later charged with sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony, after investigators received additional allegations.

Court documents released in October allege that the teenage girl told investigators that Seth sexually assaulted her on September 22. Authorities subsequently obtained a search warrant for the family home as part of the investigation. The allegations have not been proven in court.

Heather Thompson Day, 39, faces a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted on her charge. Seth Day, also 39, faces a reported maximum possible sentence of 109 years based on the combined charges against him.

Both were released on bond. Heather was released on a $100,000 bond, while Seth’s total bond was reported at $350,000 after the additional sexual assault charge was filed. Emergency protective orders have also restricted the couple’s contact with their children, and both were ordered to wear monitoring devices.

Heather has denied the allegations, telling a judge during a bond hearing that they were not true. Her husband has also appeared in court in connection with the charges.

Southwestern Adventist University has placed Seth Day on administrative leave and said it is cooperating with authorities. The university said the allegations do not involve its students, staff or faculty.