Former Bibb County teacher raised red flags year before child sex abuse case surfaced

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July 30, 2025

As disturbing details continue to emerge in the Bibb County child sex abuse case, some local residents are reassessing troubling situations they witnessed in the past—wondering if they were unknowingly connected to the now-unfolding investigation.

One former Bibb County teacher believes that may be the case.

In an interview with ABC 33/40 , the educator, who asked to remain anonymous, shared that she raised concerns about a student nearly a year before law enforcement uncovered the abuse. That child is now believed to be one of the ten victims rescued from an underground bunker where children were reportedly drugged and subjected to sexual abuse.

“She was in my class, and she was just very delayed developmentally, and you know there could be billions of reasons, but now with all this coming out, it’s kind of like that’s probably why,” the teacher told the station.

The former teacher said she noticed a troubling pattern involving the child during the 2023–2024 school year. In addition to developmental delays, she recalled severe hygiene issues and chronic absences. She emphasized that the signs pointed to more than just a child who had been playing outside or was occasionally unkempt.

“You know more than just a kid playing outside dirty,” she said. “Neglect, clear signs of neglect.”

She said she reported her concerns to school administrators multiple times throughout the school year but saw no meaningful intervention.

“It was multiple times. No, it never really got better,” she said.

Looking back, she said the recent revelations have only deepened her disappointment.

“Maybe not shocked, just even more saddened that nothing happened back then, like looked into far enough to be stopped back then, and then it was just ongoing,” she added.

According to law enforcement officials, the Department of Human Resources did not refer the case to authorities until February 2025.

When asked about the situation, the Alabama Department of Human Resources declined to comment, citing state confidentiality laws.

Seven adults are currently in custody in connection with the case. Charges include rape, human trafficking, kidnapping, and other offenses stemming from what investigators say was the prolonged abuse of at least ten children.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].