Nurse testifies for prosecution in Craft molestation trial

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RINGGOLD, Ga. - A nurse testified here this afternoon that two of three children alleged to be victims of child molestation by a former kindergarten teacher showed signs of abuse.

When Sharon Anderson, a sexual assault nurse examiner, took the stand in Catoosa County Superior Court in the trial of Tonya Craft, she testified that two of the girls showed "suspicious" signs of sexual abuse.

The jury was shown graphic pictures, and Ms. Anderson testified about how she could tell the children showed signs of abnormality. Some of the jurors appeared shocked.

When one of Ms. Craft's defense attorneys cross-examined Ms. Anderson, she said she decided what physical characteristics appeared normal and abnormal based on her experience and training.

Defense attorney Demosthenes Lorandos asked Ms. Anderson several times how she was able to say a girl showed suspicious signs of sexual abuse without clear evidence.

Ms. Craft, a former teacher at Chickamauga Elementary School, is charged with 22 counts of child molestation, aggravated sexual battery and aggravated child molestation.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Defense finishes cross-examining first child witness in craft trial

RINGGOLD, Ga. - The first child witness in the trial of a former kindergarten teacher charged with child molestation finished her testimony this morning before the court was dismissed for lunch.

One of Tonya Craft's defense attorneys spent the morning in Catoosa County Superior Court showing the child five taped interviews of herself talking with crisis center counselors.

When defense attorney Demosthenes Lorandos asked the child why she didn't say in the first three taped interviews that Ms. Craft had abused her, her response was short.

"I just remembered," she said.

Throughout the interview, Ms. Craft wiped tears from her eyes with a tissue.

Mr. Lorandos continued to start and stop each video and ask what the child was thinking during the interview. Each time she responded "I don't know."

In a taped interview - one year after the first four interviews - the child told in graphic detail of how she said Ms. Craft abused her.

In the video, the child remained calm and collected.

When Mr. Lorandos asked her if she had been upset talking about the abuse, she said "no."

Ms. Craft, a former teacher at Chickamauga Elementary School, is charged with 22 counts of child molestation, aggravated sexual battery and aggravated child molestation.

Three children allegedly were involved.

The trial will continue in Judge Brian House's courtroom this afternoon with one of the state's medical experts taking the stand.

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