MONROE (GA)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
April 25, 2023
By Josh Shepherd
A Georgia woman, who was a tutor at a local faith-based Classical Conversations program, has been arrested and charged with molesting a student, according to police records obtained by The Roys Report (TRR).
Cheryl McCullough, 37, was arrested and charged by the Monroe Police Department with one count of child molestation on March 20. She bonded out the same day, police records show.
McCullough had served as a tutor at a local chapter of Classical Conversations, a faith-based homeschool co-op program which meets at Faith Baptist Church in Monroe. According to the police report, the alleged incident occurred with a teenage student enrolled in the program whom McCullough had been tutoring at her home.
The police report recounts how the minor visited the McCullough home for an overnight stay on February 7. In the account, the minor claims his tutor “got in bed with him” and made “sexual comments.” The minor allegedly refused an advance to kiss him and ran outside.
Subsequently, when the minor came back inside, the tutor allegedly “got on top of him and wrapped her legs around him, holding him down.” The juvenile then contacted his mother and left the McCullough home. A police report about the alleged incident was filed on March 10.
In a statement to TRR, attorney LeAnne Hicks said that McCullough “vehemently maintains her innocence regarding this allegation.” Hicks added: “This allegation is patently false, is retaliatory in nature, and originates from a source with a reputation for making false allegations. Mrs. McCullough looks forward to her day in court where she will be exonerated.”
Classical Conversations (CC), which trains local leaders to run its network of homeschool communities nationwide, responded to an inquiry about the charge. “We have been made aware of this unfortunate circumstance and will continue to pray for everyone involved,” said Becky DiPiero, CC director of public relations and communications.
Neither the tutor’s family nor the family of the alleged victim is currently participating in the Monroe education co-op program, DiPiero said. She added that it was an “oversight” that McCullough had remained listed on the local program’s profile web page.
DiPiero explained how leaders engaged with children are vetted and trained to run Classical Conversations programs. “Every Licensed Director is required to complete a background check and child protection training,” she said. “We also help implement best practices for safety when participating in community week to week.”
A leading Christian homeschool education company based in Southern Pines, North Carolina, Classical Conversations has faced questions from several whistleblowers about its business model and practices. Calling it a multi-level marketing scheme, some local directors reported financial hardship due to their program involvement, while the owners take in millions.
The hearing date for McCullough’s case at the Magistrate Court of Walton County (Ga.) has not been set as of publication time, according to a spokesperson.
Freelance journalist Josh Shepherd writes on faith, culture, and public policy for several media outlets. He and his family live in the Washington, D.C. area.