Babysitter Convicted of Rape of a Child Sentenced to Thirty-Five Years

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Child Abuse Unit obtained a thirty-five-year sentence against a man who raped a child he was babysitting.  Steven Lee McAbee, 43, was convicted of two counts of Rape of a Child.  Judge Scott Green sentenced McAbee to serve thirty-five years in prison on each of the two counts.

In a three-day trial in March, Assistant District Attorneys Jordan Murray and Ashley McDermott explained to the jury that when the victim was seven and eight years old, McAbee would occasionally babysit the victim.  On two separate occasions at two homes in south Knoxville, McAbee raped the victim.  The victim disclosed the abuse when she was eight years old.  Knox County Sheriff’s Office Detective Miranda Spangler investigated the case and interviewed witnesses.  Additionally, the victim was forensically interviewed at ChildHelp Tennessee.

“This victim, who is still a child, showed great courage coming forward to testify,” said DA Allen.

Under Tennessee law, McAbee must serve his thirty-five-year sentence without the possibility of parole.  Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator Erin Morrison aided in the prosecution of this case.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.