ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A former Hope Christian Elementary School teacher was ordered Wednesday to remain in jail until his trial. The former teacher and dean of discipline at the private Christian school is accused of sexually abusing two female students. During Wednesday’s hearing, Kelly McEachran’s wife and friends attempted to persuade the court to grant him release until the trial.
Story continues below
- News: New Mexico Supreme Court throws out embezzlement charges against former official
- Trending: A ‘professional courtesy’: How an officer crossed the line
- Community: Funding for farming internship program at APS in jeopardy
- KRQE Investigates: Embattled McKinley County DA asks for emergency funding to keep her office running
Ann McEachran, his wife, expressed her support, stating, “He’s kind, he’s tender, he’s loving.” McEachran is being accused of inappropriately touching two former students—one during the current school year and the other during the 2016-2017 school year.
When asked if she was aware of any past allegations, Ann McEachran stated, “Just the one …just the one with the restraining order.”
The prosecution argued that Kelly should remain in jail until trial, highlighting that McEachran was allowed access to the school even after the allegations surfaced. Prosecutor Savannah Skye Brandenburg-Koch said, “So the school was still allowing the defendant, even though he’s supposed to be on leave, to still be at the school and attending sporting events and being around children.”
The prosecution also noted a pattern of inappropriate behavior dating back to 1993. Not all the accusations were of a sexual nature; some were described as “bullying” by McEachran, according to court documents.
“As many more victims come forward, they have disclosed this chair incident. That the defendant brings his student up to this chair and talks to them, and this is where a lot of the touching occurs,” said Brandenburg-Koch during the detention hearing.
The defense attempted to discredit the allegations, with attorney Chris Dodd arguing against the Albuquerque Police Department going to the media prior to McEachran’s arrest and extradition back to New Mexico in June. “There were never any other allegations. [Commander] Hartsock went to the media, and then people came forward.”
The defense called upon a friend and a former teacher who used to work with McEachran to testify in his favor, asserting that he is a good man. “I think he is a very credible individual; he’s trustworthy, he’s dependable; he’s a man of God,” said Giovanna Eisberg, a former Hope teacher and friend of McEachran.
However, Judge Clara Moran ordered that McEachran stay behind bars through his trial with no bond, stating that McEachran poses a danger. McEachran blew a kiss to his family before being led out of the courtroom.
He will not face charges for the older abuse accusations, as the statute of limitations has expired. Investigators are still interviewing other potential victims.
McEachran’s attorney said they plan to challenge Wednesday’s detention ruling.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
