Babysitter Convicted of Rape of a Child

DA Charme Allen announces that prosecutors in the Child Abuse Unit obtained convictions against a man who raped a child he was babysitting.  Steven Lee McAbee, 42, was convicted of two counts of Rape of a Child.  Judge Scott Green revoked McAbee’s bond, ordered him into custody, and set the case for sentencing on June 9 where McAbee faces twenty-five to forty years in prison without the possibility of parole on each of the two counts.

In a three-day trial, 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 of East Tennessee.

“This victim, who is still a child, showed great courage coming forward to testify,” said DA Allen. “Due to the verdict in this case, this perpetrator will not be able to harm another child.”

Rape of a Child is a Class A felony that carries a punishment of twenty-five to forty years in prison without the possibility of parole.  At sentencing, prosecutors will ask that the sentence for each count of Rape of a Child run consecutive to each other to ensure the defendant cannot abuse another child.  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.