RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WGNS News) - April marks Child Abuse Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the signs of abuse and fostering a community that protects its most vulnerable members. With awareness in mind, WGNS asked Rutherford County Sheriff’s Detective Jeremy Murdoch if area residents would be surprised if they knew the true number of children who have fallen prey to sexual predators in our community...The sobering reality is that sexual predators continue to aggressively work toward gaining daily access to children of all ages.
One misconception often held by parents and grandparents alike is that sexual predators always appear as a "stranger in the alley." However, statistics, investigative history, and raw data paints a much darker picture of who the actual predator really is...
Sadly, some wolves come in sheep's clothing and may have been viewed by a victim as a figure of trust, before the sexual assault unfolded. Detective Murdoch commented on suspects developed during child sex abuse cases, which may surprise some people...
Prior to becoming a detective that focuses on juvenile criminal cases, Murdoch served as a school resource officer and a strength coach for the Oakland High School softball team... The detective urges parents not to be "naive" about those in leadership roles; instead, they should get to know who is involved in their children's lives and develop a culture of healthy skepticism while welcoming open communication.
In Tennessee, state laws are crystal clear: everyone is mandated by law to report any and all suspected incidents of child abuse, child sexual abuse, or child neglect to authorities... Those who fail to report abuse but are later found to have known it was occurring can be arrested and may even face prison time, depending on the severity of the case.
Rutherford County Detective Jeff Ver Bruggen told WGNS how they receive initial information—or tips—that a child is being sexually abused. He stated:
The Digital Battlefield: Smartphones Become Weapons in the Wrong Hands
Perhaps the most significant shift in child safety over the past two decades is the advent of the smartphone... Murdoch added:
Ver Bruggen discussed how predators can remain completely cloaked online, allowing them to blend in and fully manipulate both pre-teens and teens... To further illustrate how dangerous open access to the internet can be for children, Murdoch went as far as comparing it to a loaded gun...
Today, it is more important than ever to know which apps your children use online and with whom they communicate... The detective warned that online predators are well aware of app choices and which ones provide them with more shadow than light. They also know how to use each and every app that area kids use, and what to say to gain the trust of those you love most...
Life After Child Sex Abuse - Recent changes in Tennessee law reflect a much deeper understanding of the long-term harm caused by childhood sexual abuse. Legislation passed in recent years, combined with one bill that was passed last month, will allow those convicted of child rape to face life in prison or, in certain cases, the death penalty.
This recent shift comes as decades of psychological research have further clarified that the trauma of childhood sexual abuse can profoundly alter brain development and continue to affect victims well into adulthood.
Historically, the issues revolving around the aftermath of child sex abuse cases received less formal attention - until the passage of the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act in 1974, which required states to establish similar reporting systems. Since then, a growing scientific consensus has influenced public policy, culminating in stricter penalties, better laws and more enforcement.
Life Sentence or Death Penalty - Lawmakers in the Volunteer State authorized sentencing changes for certain child sexual assault convictions. House Bill 1454 was passed by the Tennessee General Assembly this past month (March 2026)... This change could take effect as early as July 1 of this year.
Would you like to hear more information on child sexual abuse and the predators that lurk around nearly every corner? Click Here to listen to the entire WGNS Podcast.
