Former Hamilton County high school teacher Casey McGrath is expected to either accept a plea deal in her aggravated statutory rape case next month or have a trial date set, her attorney said Tuesday.
McGrath, 30, was a 10th grade geometry teacher at Central High School from 2020 to 2023 and was recognized as Teacher of the Month in October 2021, according to the district’s publication, The Central Digest.
She is accused of engaging in sexual penetration with a child at least 13 years old but younger than 18, and she was at least 10 years older than the victim, the indictment said. She was 28 at the time of her arrest.
McGrath, who appeared Tuesday in front of Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Barry Steelman, was offered a deal, but the details of the agreement have not been made public, according to her attorney, Meredith Mochel.
The defendant expects to either enter an agreement April 10 or have a trial date set, Mochel said. She is free on a $10,000 bond.
McGrath was suspended without pay from her teaching position on March 31, 2023, pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct, and she no longer works for Hamilton County Schools, a district official previously said.
She is one of at least three former Hamilton County school system teachers accused of sex crimes involving children.
Former Wallace A. Elementary School first grade teacher, Duane Sanders Jr., is facing over two dozen charges including aggravated rape of a child and sexual abuse of a child.
Most recently, former Chattanooga Preparatory School teacher Kenya White was charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and kidnapping.
Those who wish to report suspected or disclosed child abuse can call 877-54-ABUSE or visit the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services online reporting portal, according to the Children’s Advocacy Center in Chattanooga.
Contact Sofia Saric at ssaric@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476.