A 32-year-old former Whites Creek High School teacher has been indicted on 18 criminal counts tied to an alleged sexual relationship with a student in 2025, authorities say. The charges include aggravated statutory rape, sexual contact, and sexual battery by an authority figure. She is being held on a $150,000 bond as the case moves into pretrial proceedings in Davidson County.
Metro Nashville police identified the defendant as Kadija Kuykendall. She was fired from Whites Creek in August 2025 after disclosing details of the relationship to a colleague, according to WSMV. The station reports that the indictment was returned after a more-than-10-month Youth Services investigation and lists multiple counts alleging sex crimes involving a student. MNPD’s public release did not include further details about the alleged incidents.
What the charges mean under Tennessee law
Tennessee law treats sex crimes committed by people in positions of trust as elevated offenses with stiffer penalties. Statutory rape by an authority figure is codified in Tenn. Code § 39-13-532 (Justia) and is classified as a Class B felony. Sexual battery by an authority figure is laid out in Tenn. Code § 39-13-527 (Justia) and is a Class C felony. The statutes also note that convictions for certain authority figure rape charges can make a defendant ineligible for probation.
How the case moves forward in Nashville
The District Attorney’s Crimes Against Children unit reviews and prosecutes cases that include sexual battery and statutory rape by an authority figure, and prosecutors typically decide whether to present cases to a grand jury after reviewing a Youth Services investigation, the DA’s office says. The unit’s role and victim-witness support are described on the Nashville DA’s Office site. WSMV reports that Kuykendall is in custody on a $150,000 bond and will face initial proceedings in Davidson County General Sessions Court.
What families and the community can expect
The DA’s office says, “Our Victim Witness Coordinators keep victims and their families informed” as cases proceed, and prosecutors work with MNPD Youth Services and child protection partners when handling matters involving minors. The Nashville DA’s Office site outlines how the Crimes Against Children unit coordinates investigation, charging decisions and services for victims. Next steps include arraignment and pretrial hearings in Davidson County; any further court dates will be scheduled through the local court system.
