On June 6, Knoxville Police received a report of child sex abuse involving a victim who is now 26 years old. She told investigators that between 2009 and 2011, while she was between the ages of 12 and 14, her step-grandfather, Danny Cunningham, 72, sexually abused her several times at his residence in the 900 block of E. Marion Street.
According to court documents, the victim stated Cunningham performed sexual acts on her during that period. Cunningham confirmed that the victim did stay at his home during those years but denied all allegations of abuse.
Following an investigation, Cunningham was arrested and booked into the Marion County Jail on three counts of third-degree sexual abuse, a Class C felony. A no-contact order has been issued, and his bond is set at $30,000 cash or surety. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on September 25 at 9:00 a.m.
Court records also show that Cunningham faced similar charges in 2015 for third-degree sexual abuse, also a Class C felony.
