Father of accuser in case of teacher charged with rape speaks out on victim advocacy
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A family member of the person accusing a West High School teacher and coach of aggravated statutory rape is speaking out.
After he was arrested last week, 32-year-old Chad Brooks was indicted on 16 counts of aggravated statutory rape and statutory rape by an authority figure. Knox County Schools placed Brooks on unpaid leave, and are not renewing his contract for the next school year.
While all 16 counts against Brooks list a single person, KPD is urging anyone impacted by this case, or anyone who is aware of possible victims to come forward. In talking to this person's father, he said as upset as he is at the situation, he is placing his trust in the victim advocacy groups to bring his daughter justice.
West High teacher facing statutory rape charges placed on administrative leave
'Being a dad the first thing that hits my mind is rage and, I guess, violent thoughts,' he said. 'I spoke with one of the special unit, the Knoxville Police Department Special Crimes Division officer, and he kind of reassured me to just let them do their job, and they'd get a handled for me.'
After KPD started their investigation into Brooks back in April, the West High School student's dad said he was relieved to learn Brooks was arrested.
'Charges have been brought against him and he's going to be prosecuted for what is done and just basically just trying to be there for her, walking step-by-step with her the whole way,' he said.
He said it is the groups like KPD's Special Victims Unit that have helped them in this process. Other victim advocacy groups like the Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee said they are here for these kinds of situations.
'We could get anywhere from one to 10 calls or more every single day,' said the McNabb Center Victim Services Director Lacy Bradley.
Bradley added they average almost a thousand hotline calls a year, and preform around 300 sexual assault nurse examiner, or SANE exams, across East Tennessee.
'We work alongside all of the community partners that need to be a part of this to figure out where we're going to go and how we can keep our city safe, our city safer,' said Bradley. 'Our students and our children, women out taking a jog, in our schools, we want to provide prevention as we can and as is requested.'
Tennessee State Veterinarian issues alert for flesh-eating parasite
Whether it is working with police departments, families, or schools, they say they hope to provide a safe space for victims to find support. The accuser's father also hopes groups like these encourage those who may be victims of these crimes to come forward.
'I would just encourage any of them to feel free to reach out to the Knoxville Police Department. They've been a great help with us as far as having support for my daughter, and advocating for her,' he said. 'I would definitely encourage any other victims regarding this case or any other case of sexual abuse to definitely step forward.'
Despite the fact Brooks will not be returning to West High School, the father said he finds comfort in the fact his daughter will soon be graduating.
▶ See more top stories on WATE.com
KPD is urging anyone who may be impacted by this case or who is aware of possible child abuse or statutory rape to call their special crimes unit at 865-215-6810 or visit them at the Knoxville Family Justice Center.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
Videos show chaotic scene after man set members of Boulder's Jewish community on fire
Videos show chaotic scene after man set members of Boulder's Jewish community on fire In the video, the shirtless man appears to be saying, 'How many children have you killed?' and ''We need to end Zionists.' Show Caption Hide Caption FBI investigating 'attack at Colorado mall The FBI is investigating a report of a "targeted attack" in a Boulder, Colorado mall. Videos posted on social media appear to show the hectic moments after a man attacked members of the Jewish community in Boulder, Colorado, with a Molotov cocktail during a march calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza. In one video, a shirtless man in dark sunglasses believed to be the suspect holds two glass containers filled with a clear liquid and paces back and forth on a patch of grass, shouting at people nearby. Off to the side, bystanders appear to provide first aid to a person lying on the ground. Authorities said a male suspect had been taken in custody. Police identified the suspect as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45. The Anti-Defamation League, an organization that works to fight antisemitism and bias, said the 53-second video was shot after the June 1 attack in which multiple people were set on fire on a pedestrian mall in what the FBI described as a "targeted terrorist attack." The ADL said, based on its analysis, the shirtless man appears to be saying, 'How many children have you killed?' and ''We need to end Zionists.' The organization said the man also gestured toward what appeared to be victims of the attack and proclaimed: 'They are killers.' FBI Assistant Director for Public Affairs Ben Williamson said on X that the suspect "shouted 'Free Palestine' while throwing fire bombs at a crowd of Jewish people." Six people ranging in ages 67 to 88 were injured and were transported to local hospitals. Aaron Brooks of Boulder was riding his bike when he heard someone yelling for a doctor and saw a friend running from the courthouse. Brooks said he often participates in the march, so he headed toward the courthouse to see what was going on. The attack had just happened, he said. 'I saw smoke coming from the ground, blood on the ground, smoke coming from a person,' Brooks said. 'It looked like somebody was burning and people were throwing water on her.' Brooks said he also saw a shirtless man who was shouting and holding two bottles filled with liquid. He saw another man yelling and assumed they were together, although he later learned the second man was trying to stop the suspect. 'I yelled at him, 'What are you doing? Why did you do this?'' Brooks said. 'My friends were burning and hurt, and I got emotional.' In the video analyzed by ADL, someone off camera shouts 'stay away, stay away' as the shirtless man continues to pace back and forth and shout. At one point, the man raises his hands and then lies down on the grass as a police officer, gun drawn, approaches. The officer appears to handcuff the man as another officer approaches. The video ends with the man still on the ground and the police officers standing over him. Jonathan Greenblatt, national director and chief executive officer of the ADL, noted that the attack is the second on the Jewish community in the United States in just two weeks. 'First, a young couple slaughtered in DC. And now, a firebomb thrown at a group in Boulder, Colorado, as they gathered to express solidarity with the 58 hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas terrorists,' he said. Greenblatt said the attacks are part of 'a global campaign of intimidation and terror deliberately directed against the Jewish people.' In the past few days, he said, Jewish youth in London were assaulted, public spaces in Brisbane, Australia, were defaced with antisemitic graffiti, and synagogues, a Holocaust memorial and a kosher restaurant in Paris were vandalized. 'Sadly, none of this is surprising,' he said. 'In fact, it's entirely predictable. This is precisely where anti-Jewish incitement leads. This is exactly what vicious anti-Zionism enables.' Follow Michael Collins on X @mcollinsNEWS.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Five family members charged after Hamblen County business' property shot
HAMBLEN COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Five family members, including two juveniles, are facing charges after detectives investigated a Hamblen County business' property being damaged by gunfire earlier this week. The Hamblen County Sheriff's Office said the family members, who live in Morristown, are facing charges stemming from the investigation. Woman arrested after crash, accused of kicking out Knoxville police car window 'Information we were able to obtain through a recently installed flock camera was essential in locating the vehicle involved,' Det. Lt. Jim Brooks stated. 'Once we located the vehicle, we had no problem determining the individuals who were involved.' The two juveniles suspected of causing the damage were charged reckless endangerment, vandalism, and unlawful possession of a firearm. As deputies apprehended the juveniles, three other family members were charged with Schedule VI violations, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and simple possession, the sheriff's office said. The sheriff's office said additional charges may be pending. Knox County mayor calls out apparent retaliation at juvenile detention center Brooks also thanked the Morristown Police Department, White Pine Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol for their assistance in the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Ardrey Kell High principal to retire weeks after being suspended with pay
Ardrey Kell High School principal Jamie Brooks is retiring after being suspended with pay earlier this month. PAST COVERAGE: Ardrey Kell High School principal suspended with pay 'It is with my deepest sadness that I write to you to share that I have made a decision that is best for me to retire effective June 1,' Brooks said in a statement to families. Channel 9 confirmed that Brooks was suspended with pay on May 2. Assistant principal Tomica Wright will continue to be the lead school administrator with assistance from performance area executive director Crystal Houser. In April, Channel 9 reported on a fight involving a Muslim female student and a Black male student. After investigating, CMPD and the FBI found no evidence to support any criminal charges. It is unknown why Brooks was suspended before she announced her retirement. VIDEO: 'I'm here to fight for her': Parent speaks out in support of Ardrey Kell principal
