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A Georgia teacher allegedly groomed a 15-year-old girl whose softball team she coached, and continued preying on the minor even after the teen’s mother tried to intervene, according to a warrant.
Katie Elizabeth McDevitt, 28, allegedly groomed the teen while coaching her on the Georgia Strike softball team, sending her romantic messages and touching her in ways that made her uncomfortable, 11 Alive reported.
The creepy coach, who also taught at a Christian academy, repeatedly committed inappropriate behavior towards the teen during a period between Feb. 1 and Sept. 22, investigators said in an affidavit obtained by the outlet.
McDevitt would devise situations where she and the girl would be alone before and after practices in a hitting facility, outside the view of surveillance cameras, according to the document.
McDevitt also allegedly sent the teen a series of romantic messages which continued even after adults discovered them.
“The accused had private communication channels with the victim even after intervention from the mother of the victim,” according to the affidavit.
The preyed-upon student athlete later described discomforting physical interactions – which are not detailed in the police affidavit – between her and the softball coach, authorities allege.
McDevitt was booked into jail last Thursday by the Walton County Sheriff’s Office on felony charges for grooming a minor before posting a $7,500 bond the next day, according to 11 Alive.
The pervy coach was put on administrative leave from her teaching gig at Loganville Christian Academy immediately after school officials were notified of the investigation, the school said.
In a statement to the outlet, the school also added that the teen McDevitt allegedly preyed on was not enrolled at the academy, and they were unaware of any allegations involving students at Loganville.
Georgia Strike Softball also told the outlet that McDevitt was let go from her coaching position soon after being notified of the allegations against her by police.
“Georgia Strike is committed to the safety and well-being of our players, and our focus is on them and their families at this time,” the statement read.
McDevitt could not be immediately reached for comment.