Editor’s Note: In support of the sixth strategic action of Vision 2025 adopted by messengers to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting, Baptist Press will continue to report every instance of sexual abuse related to Southern Baptist churches, entities, institutions or leaders of which we are made aware.
ORLANDO (BP) – A Florida lawsuit filed against First Academy, a Christian school in Orlando, claims that the school mishandled the case of a middle-aged female teacher’s alleged sexual abuse of a teenage female student several years ago.
Harriett Sugg was a 47-year-old teacher at First Academy, a large school run by First Baptist Church of Orlando, when she allegedly abused a 15-year-old student at the school between 2014 and 2016.
According to local media reports, Sugg was arrested on Oct. 11 and charged with several counts of sexual activity with a minor by a school authority.
“A teacher was actually engaging in sexual intercourse and sexual activity with a child right under their noses at the school,” Andrea Lewis, one of the alleged victim’s attorneys, told local media. “She was grooming this younger girl and eventually did engage in extremely egregious and inappropriate acts of child sexual abuse.”
First Baptist pastor David Uth and First Academy head of school Steve Whitaker issued a joint letter on the school’s website earlier this week.
“We are deeply saddened to address the allegations of sexual abuse that occurred approximately seven years ago involving a former female high school teacher and a female high school student at The First Academy,” they wrote. “We take these allegations with the utmost seriousness and want to assure our community that we are committed to the safety, well-being, and spiritual development of our students.
“Our top priority has been and will continue to be a nurturing and Christ-centered environment where students can grow academically, emotionally, and spiritually. We understand that trust in our institution has been shaken by these allegations, and we want to acknowledge the pain and concern this has caused in our community.”
The lawsuit asserts that school officials knew Sugg was allegedly grooming the girl yet did not report it to law enforcement or take action against Sugg other than threats of termination.
“It was completely preventable and this whole thing was avoidable,” Lewis said. “And it’s had lifelong effects on [the victim].”
Sugg pleaded not guilty to the charges against her and has a hearing later this month.
If you are/have been a victim of sexual abuse or suspect sexual abuse by a pastor, staff member or member of a Southern Baptist church or entity, please reach out for help at 202-864-5578 or [email protected]. All calls are confidential.
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