DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — A Douglas County high school teacher and track and field coach who was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a student at the school was denied bond on Thursday.
Kerry Hood, 47, turned himself in at the Douglas County Sheriff's Office after probable cause for his arrest was established. He worked at Lithia Springs High School.
Hood made his first court appearance around 9:30 a.m. through a video call on Thursday, where a judge denied bond, stating that he was a danger to the public, adding that if released, he could have access to other minors.
"You pose a significant risk," the judge said.
During the appearance, Hood told the judge he had been a teacher for 7 years and a teacher's assistant for 10 years. An arrest warrant shows that the abuse happened sometime between December 2023 and May 2024.
"He did engage in sexual acts with a student," the prosecuting attorney said. "He was also her track and field coach. The offense occurred at the school while class was in session. Our investigation revealed the sexual acts also occurred outside the school too."
Re-watch the court appearance in the video player above and below.
While a fellow coach and friend of Hood expressed disbelief and hoped the allegations weren't true, a former student said they weren't surprised, given Hood's close relationships with track students.
"Everybody needs to know if there are more victims or whatnot, especially if nobody has come forward because this could have been going on for a really long time. There's just an unknowing amount of people that could have experienced this, and they need to help too, and they need justice for them as well," Ryan Samples, the former student, said.
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 any additional victims.