Faith Academy counselor found guilty of failing to report suspected sexual abuse of student

[00:00:00]Mobile County jury tonight finding Faith Academy guidance counselor Carrie Meredith guilty of failing to report suspected sexual abuse by a coach.

[00:00:11]Meredith is a mandatory reporter required by law to alert police or DHR if she suspects child abuse. A judge first found her guilty of misdemeanor back in 2024.

[00:00:24]She then appealed leading to today's jury verdict. Testimony showing a Faith Academy student reported that another student said a third student had pictures of the teacher and coach Jonathan Sowers on her phone. Sowers was later charged with sexual abuse of a student. Witnesses saying the alleged victim denied having any pictures and the school testified that when they searched the phone they didn't find any pictures or messages from Sowers.

[00:00:55]Prosecutors argued Meredith should have turned the case over to professional investigators who may have been able to preserve Snapchat messages that auto delete.

[00:01:05]The defense says the law requires a reasonable basis to believe abuse happened and plans to keep fighting the case. The judge set sentencing for June 24th. Meredith faces up to 6 months in jail.