Image Credit: Apostolic Christian Academy / Facebook & Blount County Sheriff’s Office
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
On Wednesday, a former teacher at Apostolic Christian Academy was sentenced to six years in prison with no parole and mandatory sex offender registration after pleading guilty to three counts of sexual assault against a 14-year-old student.
Joseph “Kade” Abbott, the 27-year-old former teacher and worship leader, was initially arrested in January of 2023, and was listed as a staff member of the school through August of 2022.
Several months prior, the victim’s family sued First Apostolic Church where the school is housed and the Academy itself as they claimed leadership either knew or should have been aware of the abuse, thereby exhibiting, “an extreme degree of negligence” and endangering all children in the school.
The suit also claims Abbott’s numerous sexual assaults on the girl in 2022 resulted in mental trauma and extreme guilt and anguish for the victim and her family.
The information surrounding this case is the culmination of a series of reports published by Knox News detailing Apostolic Church leadership’s attempts to downplay or hide the sexual misconduct.
Reportedly, months before Abbott’s arrest, school officials knew of at least two instances where Abbott messaged the student inappropriately but was still allowed to maintain contact with students, despite being suspended after both occurrences.
Apostolic leadership did not notify the parents or police of Abbott’s communications, and by the time they were finally revealed the teacher had sexually assaulted the girl several times according to “recorded conversations with school officials, law enforcement, and the Blount County district attorney.”
The lawsuit by the victim’s family is now expected to begin in earnest with Abbott’s sentencing completed, though there are no firm trial or court dates yet, and the family is petitioning for $4.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
Though Abbott pleaded guilty, his defense attorney commented on the sentencing, “We are obviously very disappointed by the outcome, and we are exploring all legal options,” indicating intent to appeal the court’s decision.
Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
