An Ohio pastor who publicly denounced the popular queer graphic novel and Netflix series Heartstopper as a “health risk” to children has been arrested and charged with multiple child sexual abuse offenses.
Silas Shelton, 48, pastor of Blanchester Community Church in Clinton County, was taken into custody last week, according to a spokesperson for the Wilmington Police Department. Shelton faces four felony charges: rape, sexual battery, unlawful sexual contact with a minor, and gross sexual imposition.
Authorities say the charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred in 2019 and involved a then 14- or 15-year-old girl who was a member of Shelton’s congregation. While the police have declined to release further details out of respect for the victim’s privacy, The Advocate has reported that the allegations pertain to misconduct with a minor under Shelton’s spiritual care.
According to court documents obtained by The Cincinnati Enquirer, Shelton has denied all charges. He is currently awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for Wednesday, October 22.
Outspoken Opposition to Heartstopper
Shelton first drew public attention in August 2023 when he addressed the Little Miami Local School District Board of Education, calling Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper a threat to children’s well-being. The beloved LGBTQ+ graphic novel, which follows the romance between two British teenagers, Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, has been widely praised for its positive and age-appropriate representation of queer youth.
Shelton, however, took a hardline stance against the book during a school board meeting, claiming it was inappropriate for school-aged children.
“I got sick from reading that stuff,” he said. “I don’t think kids should ever question their sexuality. I don’t think kids should ever explore their sexuality.”
He went on to claim that his 12-year-old daughter had come home asking about the book after seeing it at a school book fair.
“One of them was Heartstopper, which is where a gay boy pressures a straight kid into kissing him,” Shelton said — a mischaracterization of the actual plot, which centers on mutual consent and self-discovery.
A Popular Series Under Fire, Yet Celebrated
Originally launched as a webcomic in 2016, Heartstopper has since evolved into a best-selling book series and successful Netflix adaptation. Its creator, Alice Oseman, has been widely credited with helping queer youth see themselves reflected in safe, affirming narratives. The series recently announced its sixth and final volume, set for release in 2026, with the Netflix show slated to conclude in the same year.
Despite being praised by educators, mental health professionals, and LGBTQ+ organizations, Heartstopper has been the target of book bans and moral panic, especially in conservative areas of the U.S. Shelton’s comments in 2023 were part of a broader national debate over LGBTQ+ representation in schools and libraries.
A Stark Contrast Between Words and Allegations
Shelton is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, his arrest has reignited conversations about the real motivations behind anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, particularly from those in positions of power within religious and educational institutions.
