Kindergarten Teacher Falsely Accused of Sex Abuse Sues Accusers

[chanel]

Tonya Craft, who was absolved of all charges of child molestation in a highly-publicized trial at Ringgold, has filed a lawsuit against her accusers in Federal Court in Rome, Ga. The 52-page complaint asks $25 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

The defendants include parents of the children who brought charges against her, the lead detective in the case, the Catoosa County sheriff and officials who investigated the complaints.

The suit says the children who brought charges against her were coached and that the allegations were not corroborated. It says the former Chickamauga Elementary School teacher suffered humiliation and embarrassment by the two-year ordeal.

After a trial that lasted into the fourth week, a jury in Catoosa County cleared her of 22 counts of child molestation.

5/24/2010 - Tonya Craft Sues Accusers In $25 Million Federal Lawsuit - Breaking News - Chattanoogan.com

What a horror story.

 

[Anguille]

If everything that is alleged is true, then this is a terrible thing that was done to this teacher and the children involved.

Witch hunts continue into the 21st century.

 

[HUGGY]

Tonya Craft, who was absolved of all charges of child molestation in a highly-publicized trial at Ringgold, has filed a lawsuit against her accusers in Federal Court in Rome, Ga. The 52-page complaint asks $25 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

The defendants include parents of the children who brought charges against her, the lead detective in the case, the Catoosa County sheriff and officials who investigated the complaints.

The suit says the children who brought charges against her were coached and that the allegations were not corroborated. It says the former Chickamauga Elementary School teacher suffered humiliation and embarrassment by the two-year ordeal.

After a trial that lasted into the fourth week, a jury in Catoosa County cleared her of 22 counts of child molestation.

5/24/2010 - Tonya Craft Sues Accusers In $25 Million Federal Lawsuit - Breaking News - Chattanoogan.com

What a horror story.

That sounds about right. If she was truly innocent..those fuckwits ruined her life and rendered her unemployable. I hope she gets every dime.

 

[Anguille]

Tonya Craft, who was absolved of all charges of child molestation in a highly-publicized trial at Ringgold, has filed a lawsuit against her accusers in Federal Court in Rome, Ga. The 52-page complaint asks $25 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

The defendants include parents of the children who brought charges against her, the lead detective in the case, the Catoosa County sheriff and officials who investigated the complaints.

The suit says the children who brought charges against her were coached and that the allegations were not corroborated. It says the former Chickamauga Elementary School teacher suffered humiliation and embarrassment by the two-year ordeal.

After a trial that lasted into the fourth week, a jury in Catoosa County cleared her of 22 counts of child molestation.

5/24/2010 - Tonya Craft Sues Accusers In $25 Million Federal Lawsuit - Breaking News - Chattanoogan.com

What a horror story.

That sounds about right. If she was truly innocent..those fuckwits ruined her life and rendered her unemployable. I hope she gets every dime.

She is not only asking for compensation, she is asking for changes in the system and the procedures for investigating child sexual abuse.

 

[chanel]

I agree. I read some background on this and it seems the charges were initiated by her ex-husband and his new wife. They probably convinced the other parents that it was true. Jail time should be considered as well in my opinion.

 

[strollingbones]

note: her ex hubby and his current wife are amoung the accusers...

i think anyone who accuses a current or ex spouse of child abuse and its false ...should lose custody of the kids....period...

this is very much like the witchhunt that went on in california years ago...a day care.....

 

[chanel]

I know of two teachers who were falsely accused of "inappropriate touching". Both were exonerated. But this was after being jailed and having their reputations destroyed in the newspaper. They both returned to work, but one can only imagine how their lives and their teaching were affected.

I'm Italian. We are a very affectionate people. A hug can be construed as sexual by someone with an agenda. That's why many people don't have a problem with $900 union dues. Administrators don't want anyone with the slightest question about their integrity, regardless of the truth.

Hopefully a lawsuit like this will make witch hunters think twice.

 

[Mr. H.]

Sometimes the truly guilty get away with it. As a substitute teacher I witnessed some wierd shit and reported it. The guy was not re-hired for the next school year, but got a teaching job nearby.
The principal did not pass along my report so his new employer had no idea. I contacted DCFS and was told a case would have to be opened, deposition taken, etc etc. I figured WTF let them figure it out.

 

[bodecea]

note: her ex hubby and his current wife are amoung the accusers...

i think anyone who accuses a current or ex spouse of child abuse and its false ...should lose custody of the kids....period...

this is very much like the witchhunt that went on in california years ago...a day care.....

Manhattan Beach....this is like Part Two. You'd think people would learn.

 

[Coyote]

Tonya Craft, who was absolved of all charges of child molestation in a highly-publicized trial at Ringgold, has filed a lawsuit against her accusers in Federal Court in Rome, Ga. The 52-page complaint asks $25 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

The defendants include parents of the children who brought charges against her, the lead detective in the case, the Catoosa County sheriff and officials who investigated the complaints.

The suit says the children who brought charges against her were coached and that the allegations were not corroborated. It says the former Chickamauga Elementary School teacher suffered humiliation and embarrassment by the two-year ordeal.

After a trial that lasted into the fourth week, a jury in Catoosa County cleared her of 22 counts of child molestation.

5/24/2010 - Tonya Craft Sues Accusers In $25 Million Federal Lawsuit - Breaking News - Chattanoogan.com

What a horror story.

I have heard of this sort of stuff happening...and the thing is, even if they are found innocent - their lives and reputations are forever ruined, people will always wonder. It's really sad.

 

[Madeline]

Tonya Craft, who was absolved of all charges of child molestation in a highly-publicized trial at Ringgold, has filed a lawsuit against her accusers in Federal Court in Rome, Ga. The 52-page complaint asks $25 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

The defendants include parents of the children who brought charges against her, the lead detective in the case, the Catoosa County sheriff and officials who investigated the complaints.

The suit says the children who brought charges against her were coached and that the allegations were not corroborated. It says the former Chickamauga Elementary School teacher suffered humiliation and embarrassment by the two-year ordeal.

After a trial that lasted into the fourth week, a jury in Catoosa County cleared her of 22 counts of child molestation.

5/24/2010 - Tonya Craft Sues Accusers In $25 Million Federal Lawsuit - Breaking News - Chattanoogan.com

What a horror story.

Good for her. I hope she wins and bankrupts that county collecting her judgments. We have known how to collect and prosecute legitimate complaints of child sex abuse for nearly half a century, and yet we allow our elected officials to run amok and violate the rules and hysterically ruin someone's life.

'Bout time someone fought back. Normally, sovereign immunity protects a DA from suits like this, but in this case, I think the Gross Abuse of Discretion exception may apply.

Accusing someone of sexually abusing a child or collecting child porn is so incendiary it strains credulity that no DA ever abuses his position to lash out for purely political reasons against the innocent. Time to reign this in.