From Putnam County Sheriff’s Office:

“On Thursday, February 20, PCSO received a DCS (Department of Children Services) referral regarding a juvenile at the Mustard Seed Ranch. On Friday, February 21, a Forensic Interview was completed by the PCSO Criminal Investigation Division, which gave enough probable cause for a search warrant.

At approximately 8:00 pm on Friday, February 21, PCSO Investigators executed a search warrant at the Mustard Seed Ranch located at Kuykendall Rd in Putnam County, TN.

Dale Burbank 65 years of age, previously a Michigan native, was arrested and charged with Statutory Rape by an Authority Figure. Burbank has a bond set at $70,000 and a court date of March 31, 2025.

Sheriff Farris stated, “The Mustard Seed Ranch has been operating in our community since 2006. It is a highly respected Christian based Residential Licensed Child Care Agency, and it has helped many children in our community over the years. This is a bad, hopefully isolated incident, that took place while a child was in a short-term care at this facility. If anyone has any information regarding this incident please contact PCSO Detective Boyer at (931) 528-8484.”