Update: Youth pastor, PTA president charged with child molestation asks for bond
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — UPDATE (January 19th):
Online court records show that the attorney for Dustin Spillers, the former youth pastor and Wolftever Creek Elementary PTA president charged with child molestation and aggravated sexual battery, has filed for bond.
The petition for bond filed on Wednesday argues that Spillers "poses no significant risk of flight."
It also says that he "poses no significant threat or danger to any person, property or the community."
It concludes that Spillers "poses no significant risk of intimidating witnesses or otherwise obstructing the administration of justice."
The judge has yet to rule on the petition.
We continue to work to confirm reports that Spillers was involved in other churches in the Chattanooga area.
Depend on us to keep you posted as we continue to learn more.
EARLIER:
A former volunteer youth pastor at the Abba's House church in Hixson and former PTA president at Wolftever Creek Elementary School in Hamilton County now faces child molestation charges and aggravated sexual battery charges.
A family friend who wishes to remain anonymous says met Dustin Spillers while he was working with youth at Abba's House Church in Hixson.
"The version of Dustin spillers that I knew doesn't exist," says Moore. "We were all in absolute shock after it all came out."
We reached out to Abba's House, who says Dustin passed a background check to be a volunteer to work with children and students, but never fulfilled his obligations to become an official pastor recognized by the church before he left the church in 2015.
The principal of Wolftever Creek Elementary notified parents of the news Tuesday afternoon. Scroll down to our previous update read more on that.
"I'm still just feeling very disrespected, and kind of caught off guard," says Elizabeth Jones.
Parent Elizabeth Jones says her 2nd grader and preschooler attend Wolftever. Jones says she pulled her children from school the minute she heard our report.
"I pulled out my children because there's a conversation that needs to be had with all of the children that have been inside of that building, and been around him," says Jones.
Online records show Hamilton County deputies arrested 34-year-old Dustin Spillers this week.
Spillers was extradited to Troup County, Georgia, where he faces those charges.
We're working to learn more details about the nature of the crimes he's accused of, and we'll update this story when we do.
If you would like to report a case of child abuse in Tennessee, call the CPS tip line at (877) 237-0004.
UPDATE: The Troup County Sheriff's Office replied to our inquiry by saying "This is still an ongoing investigation and active. All case notes cannot be released at this time."
Abba's House Lead Pastor Dr. Ronnie Phillips, Jr. confirms Spillers was once associated with his Hixson church as a volunteer youth pastor, leaving the church in 2015.
Dustin Spillers moved to Chattanooga from Louisiana in 2008 following a former youth pastor, Chris Brooks. He was never on staff nor received any financial compensation from Abba’s House. He left the church in 2015. There were no inappropriate actions by Dustin Spillers known by Abba’s House while he attended here. We are praying for the Spillers family, any alleged victims, and all other churches, individuals, and families that may be affected by the alleged actions," Phillips tells us in an email.
Several posts on the Abba's House Students Facebook page from 2012 share events that list Spillers' involvement.
We also confirmed Spillers was the president of the PTA at Wolftever Creek Elementary School.
In a January 2nd Facebook post, Principal Gail Huffstutler told parents that Spillers "stepped down from his role on the PTA."
Hamilton County Schools confirms that Spillers resigned as PTA president over the holiday break.
UPDATE: In a letter sent to parents after our story broke Tuesday afternoon, Principal Huffstutler says "Please know that these allegations have no known connection to our school or to his former role as PTA President."
'We are concerned by this news, as we are certain our families are,' Huffstutler's letter says.
A friend of the Spillers family, told us that she met Dustin during his time at Abba's House and knew him for several years.
This has been a complete shock to us. He has been living a double life his entire life,' Moore says.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as we learn more.
