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	Hearing for Teacher Accused of Sex Abuse Still Unscheduled By Mark Vierthaler Dodge City Daily Globe January 8, 2008 http://www.dodgeglobe.com/stories/010808/loc_20080108002.shtml Tabatha Adams, a former second-grade teacher at Sacred Heart Cathedral School who is charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old student, appeared in court Monday to learn the date of her preliminary hearing. The date will be determined later this week. Linda Eckelman, Adams' court-appointed attorney, said the prosecution and defense would set a date after looking at their respective calendars. Eckelman also asked the court to reduce Adams' bail from $500,000 to $50,000 so she could stay with her parents in Salina. "Because she has no previous criminal record other than a couple speeding tickets, and because she has never missed an appearance, we would like to request the bond be lowered," Eckelman said. Magistrate Judge Joey Duncan denied Eckelman's request, saying the court could not increase the likelihood of her bonding out because Adams posed a flight risk. He also cited the serious nature of the alleged crimes. Adams is being charged with sexual exploitation of a child, aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated indecent liberties with a child. Adams, 35, was arrested Dec. 18 after police received a computer jump drive containing images of what appeared to be Adams and Falls City, Neb., native Zachary Noble engaging in sexual activities with an 8-year-old female. Noble, 28, was arrested in Falls City the same day as Adams. His preliminary hearing is set for Jan. 14 in Richardson County Court. He faces charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child. Adams also faces four felony counts in Nebraska in connection with the pictures, which are believed to have been taken in Noble's residence in Falls City. The Ford County Attorney's Office said even if Adams posted bond and were released from the Ford County Detention Center, she would simply be taken into custody for the charges facing her in Nebraska. The Rev. Robert Schremmer, vicar general of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City, told the Daily Globe Dec. 19 that Adams had been suspended pending legal action. Adams' first name was spelled Tabitha in previous stories due to information from the Ford County Sheriff's Office and the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City. Reach Mark Vierthaler at (620) 408-9932 or e-mail him at mark.vierthaler@dodgeglobe.com
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