Douglas Co., teachers and coaches charged with sexual assault in court

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. – A Douglas County high school teacher and track coach who was arrested and charged with sexually abusing a student will make his first court appearance Thursday, records show.

Kerry Hood, 47, turned himself in to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office after probable cause was established for his arrest. He worked at Lithia Springs High School.

11Alive will stream the court hearing in the video player above and below.

While a fellow coach and friend of Hood expressed disbelief and hoped the allegations were not true, a former student said they were not surprised given Hood’s close relationships with track and field students.

“Everyone needs to know if there are more victims or something, especially if no one has come forward, because this could have been going on for a very long time. There are just an unknown number of people who could have experienced this, and they need help as well, and they need justice for them as well,” said Ryan Samples, the former student.

The investigation began after a student reported the assault, which allegedly occurred on school grounds and other locations. The sheriff’s office is seeking information on additional victims.