A Tennessee church deacon now faces nine felony counts after his wife allegedly uncovered hidden-camera footage of their teenage babysitter while scrolling through his phone during a medical appointment.
At a Glance
- Christopher Thomas Collins, 38, is charged with nine counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
- His wife told police she found the videos while holding his phone during a medical procedure.
- Investigators claim Collins hid cameras in the family bathroom and recorded the 17-year-old sitter naked.
- The couple’s church, Abba’s House, removed Collins from his deacon role and reported the allegations to police.
Why it matters: The case spotlights how quickly a trusted community figure can fall after a single discovery-and how a spouse’s suspicion can unravel alleged abuse.
How the videos surfaced
Collins handed his unlocked phone to his wife on January 14 so she could manage calls while he underwent a minor outpatient procedure, according to an arrest affidavit cited by WTVC.
Suspicious he was cheating, she opened the photo vault and found a hidden folder labeled with a string of random numbers, Local 3 News reported. Inside were multiple clips showing the babysitter in the family bathroom, police said.
The wife told investigators she initially deleted the files in shock, then recovered screenshots from the “recently deleted” album to preserve evidence, WSET added.
Church confrontation and police report
Still processing what she saw, the woman drove to Abba’s House in Hixson, where Collins had served as a deacon for four years. She shared her discovery during a scheduled marriage-counseling session, according to the church’s statement to News Of Losangeles.
Counselors advised her to contact law enforcement immediately. Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies opened an investigation the same afternoon.
What police say they found
A search warrant executed at the couple’s home yielded:
- Nine videos on Collins’ phone matching the wife’s screenshots
- Two micro-SD cards removed from wall-mounted camera housings
- A small black lens tucked behind a decorative shelf in the guest bathroom
Detectives believe the cameras captured the sitter during three separate overnight stays between October and December 2025, the arrest report shows.
Collins’ explanation
When confronted, Collins allegedly told his wife the cameras were “to look for rats,” WDEF reported. Investigators found no pest-control supplies or service records during the search.
He remains held on $225,000 bond at the Hamilton County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 20.
Church response
Abba’s House elders removed Collins from leadership within hours of the allegation and placed him on indefinite suspension from membership, the church told News Of Losangeles.
> “We are caring for his wife and kids during this tragic time,” the statement read.
Senior Pastor Ron Stewart announced the development to the 3,200-member congregation during Wednesday-night services, asking for prayer for “everyone affected.”
Legal fallout
Each exploitation count carries two to twelve years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine under Tennessee law. Prosecutors have not indicated whether they will seek consecutive or concurrent sentences if Collins is convicted.
Court records do not yet list an attorney for Collins. A preliminary hearing is expected next month.
Key Takeaways
- A single phone hand-off led to nine felony counts against a once-respected deacon.
- The babysitter, a longtime family friend, was unaware of the recordings, police said.
- Abba’s House reported the allegations within hours, underscoring mandatory-reporting protocols.
- Collins faces decades behind bars if convicted on all counts.
