Knox News has learned that the teacher at Maryville Apostolic Christian Academy who is charged with three counts of sexual assault on a minor was the girl’s vocal coach.
The 14-year-old was taught by Joseph “Kade” Abbott in the school’s School of Music, which is part of First Apostolic Church Maryville. A source who knew about the situation but wasn’t allowed to talk about it publicly said that the two met once a week during school hours.
Abbott, who is 26 years old, has been charged with three counts of sexual assault by a person in a position of power. All of these charges are related to claims that he abused the girl. The charge came from Blount County, which is where the campus is.
The other two counts are from Sevier County, where, Knox News has learned, Abbott, competed with his school at Gatlinburg’s Rocky Top Sports World in the National Apostolic Christian School Competition.
Abbott worked at the school as a middle school teacher and at the church as a worship leader. He was still on the staff list as late as August.
Sevier County Charges
Sevier County is charging the teachers and students for the time they spent at the competition. Apostolic students from all over the country come to compete in sports like track and field, basketball, volleyball, and softball throw. It also has contests for making arts and crafts, playing music, and learning Bible verses.
The dates of the competition in 2022, May 23–26, match the dates on the indictment against Abbott in Sevier County.
According to the source, the girl took part in a number of singing competitions.
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About the arrest of Abbott
Abbott was arrested in North Carolina in January. He was taken to Blount County, where he was given a $200,000 bond and let go. Later, on March 17, Abbott turned himself into Sevier County police and paid a $75,000 bond.
The tweet below confirms the news of charges against Teacher and worship leader:
A Tennessee christian academy teacher & church worship leader is facing new charges in a separate county for child sex crimes.
— 𝐁𝐞𝐤𝐬 (@antifaoperative) March 17, 2023
A judge in Blount County let Abbott go back to his home state of Mississippi, but he had to wear a tracking device.
On April 17, he will have a status hearing in Blount County court. He will be brought to court the next day in Sevier County.
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