Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office / Justin Higgenbottom, 37.A Sequatchie County constable and his wife are free on bond after being arrested on indictments charging them with child abuse and false imprisonment, according to court records.
Justin Higgenbottom, 37, and his wife, Tonya Higgenbottom, 50, face a charge of false imprisonment and two counts of child abuse and neglect or endangerment, according to Sequatchie County Circuit Court records. Justin Higgenbottom also faces a charge of official misconduct. Justin Higgenbottom was freed from the Marion County Jail on Tuesday on $25,000 bond while Tonya Higgenbottom was freed from the Grundy County Jail on a $10,000 bond on Wednesday, according to jail officials in Sequatchie County.
“The allegations stem from an incident involving a minor child that the Higgenbottoms had custody of,” Steven Strain, assistant district attorney, said in a phone interview. “The child has been removed from the home and placed elsewhere. The TBI investigated the matter.”
Strain said he couldn’t go into further detail.
(READ MORE: Gun discharges during struggle between Sequatchie inmate and deputy)
Justin Higgenbottom was initially taken into custody in Georgia and was returned to Tennessee to face charges after he waived his extradition rights, according to Strain. Tonya Higgenbottom turned herself in.
Higgenbottom has been placed on administrative leave until a preliminary hearing is held, as required by state law cited by Circuit Court Judge John H. Cameron Jr. in court documents. The Higgenbottoms both face a court appearance on Nov. 26, according to court officials.
Tonya Higgenbottom is represented by Public Defender Ted Engel, who declined to comment on the case when contacted by phone Thursday.
Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office / Tonya Higgenbottom, 50.Justin Higgenbottom is represented by Pikeville, Tennessee, attorney Howard Upchurch. Upchurch, who also serves as Bledsoe County’s general sessions and juvenile judge, was in court Thursday, according to his office staff, and did not immediately respond to an email Thursday morning or a phone call Thursday afternoon seeking comment.
Justin Higgenbottom was elected constable of District 9 in August 2022, defeating opponent Marty Tate, according to election records. The office of constable is established by the Tennessee Constitution and state law, and his post could be at risk if he’s found guilty.
(READ MORE: Former Tennessee state trooper arrested, charged with rape and misconduct)
“If he is convicted, an ouster proceeding would be necessary to remove him from his position as constable, if he did not resign,” Strain said.
Higgenbottom has participated in some law enforcement cases as a constable, Strain said.
“As far as any charges where he is the arresting officer, we will review those as they come through the court system, but we do not anticipate calling him as a witness,” he said.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.
Staff Photo / The Sequatchie County Justice Center in Dunlap, Tenn., is seen in 2011.