Former Hamilton Co. teacher sentenced to 60 years following conviction of child sexual abuse

From Local 3 News: Duane Sanders' sentencing hearing

3:42pm - Duane Sanders, the former Hamilton County Schools elementary teacher convicted of sexually abusing students, has been sentenced to 60 years in prison.

Several of the victims' family members addressed him for one final time before he learned his fate.

Principal of Wallace A Smith Elementary, Kelley Weiss, said during the hearing that the impact this case has left on the school is indescribable.

"These crimes spread ripples through the entire community and those ripples are still being felt today."


12:58pm - The State introduced their first expert witness during the sentencing hearing of Duane Sanders: Dr. Judit Parker.

Dr. Parker is a licensed forensic psychologist with the state of Tennessee, and conducted a psychosexual evaluation on Sanders in November of 2025.

In this interview Parker and Sanders discussed what led to him needing this evaluation including any prior substance abuse and childhood trauma.

In Parker’s evaluation she says Sanders, “somehow managed to paint [his victims] as consenting participants. He started out with denial, then victim blaming, and then not taking accountability.”

Evaluators also used an eye gaze technology while showing him images of children both clothed and in swimwear, finding he had a "visual sexual fixation" on children.

Parker says Sanders was categorized as having a high risk for recidivism, and a moderate risk to re-offend.

The second witness, Hamilton County Sheriff's Office detective Scott Darry, said five additional children made disclosures about their interactions with Sanders, bringing the total to 12.

Parents of the victims also took to the stand, saying Sanders' abuse has left their children with permanent emotional and mental scars:

"My son trusted him and loved him so much that he never knew what was doing was wrong."

"He took my child’s childhood and replaced it with a lifetime of trauma, nightmares, and therapy."

"Duane Sanders you will soon be nothing but a bad memory … your absence is going to be felt at every birthday, holiday, wedding… your absence will be tainted with the knowledge of why you’re not there… you will not be offered a chance into heaven."

Our crews will continue to bring the latest updates, as more witnesses are scheduled to speak before sentencing.


11:07am - A former Hamilton County Schools teacher who was found guilty on all counts during a child sex abuse trial is expected to be sentenced today.

Last June, former first grade teacher at Wallace A. Smith Elementary School in Ooltewah was convicted of all 15 charges, including:

• Seven counts of aggravated sexual battery
• Seven counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child
• One count of aggravated rape

Sanders has been in the Bradley County Jail since.

We have our crew in court and will continue to bring you the latest.