Court records: Man admitted to abusing student decades ago
GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A Kent County teacher allegedly admitted to sexually abusing one of his teenage students in the late 1990s and early 2000s, court records show.
James Patrick Christians, 50, of Cannon Township, appeared in 63rd District Court near Grand Rapids via video Tuesday morning to be arraigned on two counts of first-degree criminal conduct.
Seeking a personal recognizance or low bond, Christians’ defense attorney said his client has cooperated with investigators so far and has no prior criminal history. He said his client has been married for nearly 30 years and that his children are grown. He said his client is not a flight risk.
Judge Jeffrey O’Hara disagreed. Citing concerns about the safety of children in the community and arguing that Christians was a flight risk because of the seriousness of the charges against him, O’Hara set bond at $1 million cash or surety. If he posts bond, he may not have contact with the victim and must wear an electronic tether.
Christians was mostly quiet during the proceedings, only answering the judge’s direct questions briefly.
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The victim in the case, now 39, decided to come forward to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday. Authorities say she reported that she was 13 years old when she was first assaulted in 1998 by a teacher. A probable cause affidavit filed with the court says she was a student at Crossroads Middle School in Northview Public Schools at the time.
The court document says that detectives listened in as the woman made a “controlled call” to Christians on Friday and he “made references of something occurring.”
The court record goes on to say that when detectives interviewed Christians at the sheriff’s department the next day, he admitted to having sexual contact with the girl during the 1998-1999 school year and again at her father’s home around 2000 or 2001.
The woman said the abuse continued through 2003 and included instances on school property, the sheriff’s office said. Northview said Christians last worked at the school district in 2000.
Christians has worked at Lowell Area Schools since August 2000, the superintendent told News 8. He has been placed on administrative leave from his job as a high school English teacher. In a letter to parents Tuesday, Superintendent Nate Fowler said the district was cooperating with authorities and conducting its own investigation.
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“As a district, we are deeply troubled by these allegations. We value the trust placed in educators by students, parents, and our community,” Fowler wrote.
He said counseling services were available. He also assured parents that student safety and well-being were the district’s highest priorities.
In a letter to parents Monday, Fowler said there was not any indication of wrongdoing involving Lowell students.
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Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young suggested to News 8 that once Christians’ name became public, more victims could come forward. Anyone with information can call the sheriff’s office at 616.632.6215 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.
Christians is expected back to court for hearings on Feb. 14 and Feb. 21. If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.
News 8 reached out to his attorney seeking comment on Tuesday morning.
—News 8’s Byron Tollefson contributed to this report.
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