Pastor, wife in Lancaster home where son allegedly held four people prisoner in basement

Lancaster, S.C. — A pastor and his wife were living in the same home with their son when authorities say the son kept four people captive in a basement for years, culminating in the death of one of the captives. Donnie Birchfield Jr., 35, was arrested after the death of a middle‑aged woman who shared the basement with her frail, mentally challenged husband, according to arrest warrants and relatives.

Two younger women, described as Birchfield’s romantic partners, were also found in the basement of the tree‑lined residence on a Lancaster street, police said. Investigators say the victims were confined to the basement, where one was forced to live in a tent, used a bucket for a bathroom and was denied medical care or adequate sustenance. Authorities say money was stolen from the victims as they were kept under Birchfield’s control.

The people held in the basement included Alvin Arnsdoff, 55, and his wife Shirley, 49, who died on July 25. Arnsdoff’s sister, Terisa Hinson, said her brother was emaciated when found by officers, weighing about 70 pounds, and she described Birchfield as an “evil monster.” Hinson said she wants Birchfield’s parents held responsible for what happened and for failing to intervene. Donnie Birchfield Sr., the pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Lancaster, and his wife Wynette, live in the same home where the alleged captivity occurred.

Birchfield Jr. faces a broad slate of charges, according to court documents. He has been charged with four counts of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, four counts of false imprisonment, two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult, two counts of domestic violence and four financial charges. Prosecutors allege he controlled every aspect of the captives’ lives, including meals, bathroom use, and contact with others, and they say he used the victims’ funds to pay off debts and make purchases.

In interviews and court filings, Hinson said the family’s suspicions grew over years, but she ultimately felt forced to act only after Shirley’s death and the discovery of the other captives. She told the Daily Mail that Birchfield pressured the victims and kept them isolated from the outside world, sometimes threatening to harm them or their families if they did not comply.

The elder Birchfield family members were seen arriving at and leaving the home in a modest vehicle in recent days, and representatives for the pastor publicly disputed the allegations. At a briefing, Donnie Birchfield reportedly told a Daily Mail reporter that the accusations were “not true,” adding that details in the police warrants had been distorted in coverage.

Lancaster Police Department officials said they would not release additional information while the investigation was active and that a formal release would come in coordination with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office.

The relationship between Birchfield Jr. and the two younger women remains a focus of the investigation, with one arrest warrant describing a long‑standing romantic/intimate relationship dating back to 2015. Investigators allege Birchfield routinely assaulted the older girlfriend, controlled her movements, and blocked communication with others. The other younger woman, described in warrants as having been held in the basement since September 2024, was said to have endured repeated abuse and threats.

Authorities say Arnsdoff and Shirley were linked to Birchfield about six years ago when they faced eviction from their rental home, though how they met remains unclear. Hinson said she had gradually lost touch with her brother before contacting police, and she criticized what she described as a lack of accountability for the family members living in the home.

Donnie Birchfield Jr. is being held on a $150,000 bond at Lancaster County Detention Center. Investigators said they are continuing to review financial records and other evidence from the residence. The case has drawn broader questions about whether the pastor and Wynette Birchfield were aware of, or complicit in, the alleged abuse.

Hinson said she intends to pursue accountability for all involved, including Birchfield Sr. and Wynette, arguing that it would be impossible for the couple not to know something was wrong if four people lived under their roof for years. Police officials have declined to comment on whether the parents will face charges while the investigation continues, noting that they will issue more information through official channels in the coming days.

The case highlights the complex dynamics that can exist in small towns, where a family member in a position of authority, such as a local pastor, is entangled in allegations of abuse and neglect. Authorities cautioned against drawing conclusions until all evidence has been examined and all witnesses have been interviewed. The investigation continues as prosecutors prepare for potential charges and a possible court appearance.