Christopher Thomas Collins, Hixson, Tennessee deacon at Abba’s House charged with sex crimes after wife, Christa discovers nude photos of former teen baby sitter on husband’s cellphone.
A Tennessee deacon has been arrested after his wife found nude videos of their teenage baby-sitter recorded on a hidden camera after suspecting her husband might be having an affair.
Christopher Thomas Collins, a 42-year-old deacon at Abba’s House in Hixson, Hamilton County, TN., was booked on nine counts of sexual exploitation of a minor after his ‘shocked’ wife reported the videos to police.
Collins’ wife, Christa had suspected her husband was cheating and went through his phone after her husband handed the smartphone to her (was this his way of confessing…?) while undergoing a medical procedure at a dentist’s office, according to court documents obtained by WTVC.
Wife had suspicion Hixson deacon husband was cheating…
While going through her husband’s cellphone, seeking evidence of her husband’s infidelity, the mortified wife discovered explicit videos of their former baby-sitter inside a hidden folder showing the teenager inside the family’s downstairs bathroom that appeared to have been taken by small hidden cameras, according to police.
The cameras were allegedly fixed in positions across from the shower and toilet and in at least one video, the girl appeared to notice the camera while undressing.
Collins initially told her he installed the cameras to spot rats, the teen girl told investigators.
After finding the videos, Collins’ wife went to their church, Abba’s House, for guidance, and a counselor there encouraged her to call the police. They put her up in a hotel with her children for safety as police tracked down Collins and arrested him during a traffic stop, according to Local 3 News.
Cops seized Collins’ cellphone and searched it with his consent (yes he definitely wanted to get caught…and confess). Investigators also obtained two SD cards from small cameras and an older cellphone.
Abba’s House releases statement after deacon’s sex crimes arrest
Police found nine video files time-stamped 2025 in total from hidden bathroom cameras that show a girl entering and exiting the shower, using the toilet, and changing clothes, investigators said.
Collins, who knew the teen, allegedly admitted to recording her during an interview with cops. After his arrest, the church stripped him of his deacon title.
‘Through the course of a marriage counseling session, Chris Collins’ wife revealed that she had found videos on her husband’s phone of a minor,’ Abba’s House said of the wife’s allegations in a statement.
‘We immediately reported it to the police and they are handling the situation. We are caring for his wife and kids during this tragic time. Chris Collins had been a member of the church for four years and served as a deacon. He has been removed from that role.’
Not immediately clear is if the husband sexually engaged the teen baby sitter…
According to court records, Collins is due back in court on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
