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A former teacher at a private Christian school in Greene County has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a 15-year-old student — a case that ultimately led to the permanent closure of the school and exposed a second teacher accused of abusing the same alleged victim.
Sherri Delle Mauldin, 61, of Buckhead, is among the most serious cases of a Nathanael Greene Academy Teacher Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of a Student in Georgia to come before the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Superior Court. Mauldin was sentenced on May 18, 2026, by Judge Terry N. Massey and will also serve 25 years of probation and register as a sex offender for life.
Mauldin entered a guilty plea in Greene County Superior Court to three charges: statutory rape, aggravated child molestation, and improper sexual contact by a person in authority. The alleged conduct took place between January 1, 2022, and December 23, 2022, according to the grand jury indictment — a period of approximately five weeks during which prosecutors say multiple sexual encounters occurred at various locations.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation launched its inquiry in June 2024 after reports of inappropriate conduct by a teacher surfaced at the now-closed academy.
Prosecutors had asked the court to impose a sentence of 20 years with 18 years to be served in prison, pointing to several aggravating factors including the alleged victim's age, Mauldin's role as the student's teacher, and the repeated nature of the alleged conduct over multiple encounters. The state acknowledged that part of its goal in pursuing a plea was to spare the alleged victim from having to testify at trial.
"What we had here was a 15-year-old child, and let's call it what it is — a 60-year-old adult," said Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney T. Wright Barksdale III following the sentencing. Prosecutors stated they were disappointed the court did not follow their recommendation while expressing respect for the judge's decision.
Mauldin's defense attorney had argued for a purely probationary sentence with no prison time. During testimony, Mauldin reportedly described herself as being in a dark place at the time of the alleged abuse and expressed remorse before the court.
The investigation into Mauldin began after a second former Nathanael Greene Academy teacher, Bonnie Elizabeth Brown, 26, of White Plains, was arrested on allegations that she also had sexual contact with the same alleged victim. Brown has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to face a jury trial beginning next month, according to prosecutors.
The sex abuse scandal prompted school officials to permanently close Nathanael Greene Academy, a private school in Siloam that had been in operation since 1969. The alleged victim has accused the school of failing to protect him from the teachers involved.
The factual information above was sourced from 11alive.com as of May 27, 2026. The attorney commentary below is not specifically about the case reported above. Attorney commentary provided is information about these types of cases in the justice system.
When a teacher is convicted of sexually abusing a student at a private school, families often have civil legal options that extend well beyond the criminal sentence handed down in court. Legal Herald editor Paul Amess spoke with Georgia sexual abuse attorney John Bey, Esq., about the civil legal avenues available to families in cases involving sexual abuse by a teacher or school employee at a private institution.
Paul Amess: John, when a teacher at a private school is convicted of sexually abusing a student, what civil legal options may be available to the alleged victim and their family?
John Bey, Esq.: Cases involving the sexual abuse of a student by a teacher at a private school can give rise to serious and substantial civil claims. Beyond any action against the individual convicted, families may have grounds to pursue civil claims against the school or institution itself. Private schools owe the same fundamental duty of care to students as public institutions — they are responsible for screening employees, maintaining supervision, and responding appropriately to any signs of misconduct. When that duty is breached, and a student is harmed, the institution can face significant civil liability.
Paul Amess: In cases where a second alleged abuser at the same school is still awaiting trial, what does that mean for the scope of potential civil claims?
John Bey, Esq.: When multiple employees at the same institution are accused of similar conduct involving the same alleged victim, it raises very serious questions about the culture and oversight practices at that school. From a civil standpoint, this pattern of alleged conduct can be highly significant. It suggests that warning signs may have existed that were not acted upon, and it broadens the scope of questions about what the institution knew or should have known. Families in these situations should not wait for all criminal proceedings to conclude before exploring their civil options.
Paul Amess: What would you say to a family in Georgia whose child attended a school where a teacher has been convicted of sexual abuse?
John Bey, Esq.: Act quickly and speak with an experienced attorney. Civil claims in Georgia are subject to time limits, and the earlier a family begins the process, the better their position. No family should have to determine on their own whether they have a civil case — that is exactly what a confidential, no-cost initial consultation is designed to address.
If your child attended a Georgia school where a teacher or staff member has been convicted of or accused of sexual abuse, you may have the right to pursue civil action and recover financial compensation. Contact The Legal Herald today to be connected with an experienced Georgia sexual abuse attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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