EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A mental health counselor for two counseling services in Metro East St. Louis has been charged with five counts related to sexual exploitation of a minor. Matthew S. Cuppett of Collinsville was charged May 5. One count of grooming and two counts of exploitation of a minor under age 17 are felony charges. Two additional counts of exploitation of a child are misdemeanors. The alleged victim is a 13-year-old, with incidents occurring over a seven-month period ending in February.
Cuppett, 33, is a professional counselor licensed in Illinois and Missouri. He served with Pathways Counseling, a ministry of the Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services of Illinois (BFCHFS), since January 2023. He also served with Metro East Counseling.
Cuppett was placed on administrative leave in March when the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) notified BFCHFS of an investigation involving Cuppett.
BCHFS Executive Director Kevin Carrothers said Cuppett had no contact with clients of their residential facilities. Cuppett counseled in Pathways Counseling offices in Maryville, Swansea and Vandalia.
“All of us at BCHFS are disheartened to hear of these charges,” Carrothers said. “We will be praying for all parties involved, and we will continue to monitor the situation. We will be available to any families who may have concerns.”
Carrothers also said BCHFS has not been contacted by law enforcement about Cuppett’s work with Pathways Counseling after the initial notification of the DCFS investigation.
Collinsville Police led the investigation after complaints by parents that their son reported inappropriate activities by Cuppett at a sleepover. The Alton Telegraph reports Cuppett admitted to investigators his attraction to children, and that illicit photographs were found on his phone.
Cuppett was jailed in Madison County.
BCHFS is one of three entities operating under the umbrella of the Illinois Baptist State Association. Each operates with its own governing documents and boards of directors.
