Former Hope Christian school teacher accused of child sex abuse arrested in Idaho

U.S. Marshals arrested a former Albuquerque Christian school teacher accused of child sex abuse in Idaho on Thursday, according to police.

Kelly McEachran, 66, is charged with criminal sexual penetration and criminal sexual contact of a minor under 13. The victim is an 11-year-old girl who McEachran taught at Hope Christian School, according to a criminal complaint filed in 2nd Judicial District Court.

McEachran’s lawyer, Christopher Dodd, said that McEachran was on vacation in Idaho and in the process of turning himself in to authorities when arrested.

Since the headlines broke, another former student has come forward alleging abuse, according to an Albuquerque Police Department news release. Other students have also called APD with information about more potential victims.

No additional charges have been filed against McEachran following these allegations.

Hope Christian School could not be reached for comment.

A 2016 video posted on Facebook suggests that McEachran was also a pastor at Legacy Church. In the video, posted on Legacy’s account, McEachran is referred to as “Pastor Kelly.”

The mega-church’s attorney, Nicole Westbrook, said he worked in an administrative role a decade ago. The video has since been removed.

In McEachran’s classroom, the alleged abuse went on for five to six months during the past school year, according to a petition for protection filed by the victim’s family in 2nd Judicial Court. The girl told police that when she had questions, McEachran would invite her to sit beside him at his desk, where he would touch her inappropriately.

“The police never sought to get his side of the story — they went straight to an arrest warrant,” Dodd said.

Police first began investigating the case more than two months ago, according to court documents. Police were first dispatched to reports of child abuse at Hope Christian on April 7.

McEachran was placed on leave that day, the complaint details. Investigators later searched McEachran’s classroom to corroborate details of the girl’s story on May 23. A warrant for McEachran’s arrest was issued Tuesday.

Investigators are urging anyone with information on the case to speak with the department’s Crimes Against Children Unit by calling (505) 924-6032.