CLEVELAND, Ga. (BP) — The results of a third-party investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by a former Truett-McConnell University (TMU) student will be made available to trustees at the end of September, a TMU spokesperson told Baptist Press today (Aug. 6).

“The investigation is still ongoing,” said Brandi Wood, director of marketing and communications, in an emailed response.

Truett-McConnell trustees voted for the investigation in a special-called meeting on June 6 after a week of controversy that began with former student Hayle Swinson’s public allegation that she had been groomed and sexually abused by former TMU Vice President Brad Reynolds. Trustees also placed TMU President Emir Caner on leave and installed John Yarbrough, director of alumni and public policy, as acting president.

Swinson was a member of the TMU soccer team when Reynolds began grooming her in 2015, she has alleged. That included individual Bible study “classes” between the two in the basement of the home Reynolds shared with his wife and children. Emails from Reynolds to Swinson expressed his belief that the two would eventually get married and implied that Caner was aware of lunches they would have alone at the Reynolds home.

In 2019, 50 female students signed a petition objecting to participating in a theology class taught by Reynolds where they would be required to meet privately with him and write “trauma testimonies.”

In video comments to faculty and staff, Caner said a petition never “came across my desk” and that “there was no cover-up” or complaints filed through Title IX or the school’s human resources department.

Reynolds notified the school in February 2024 that he was under investigation by the White County Sheriff’s Office. He was placed on administrative leave and his employment ended “in a matter of days.” It is unclear if he resigned or was terminated.

A group called Concerned Truett Alumni called for an independent, third-party investigation soon after Swinson’s story broke. They also requested an investigation into the knowledge Caner or other administration may have had of Swinson’s allegations and other potential victims, as well as a review of dismissals of potential whistleblowers.

The investigation is being conducted by Richard Hyde, a former Atlanta police officer and Emmy award-winning investigative journalist whose cases include a 2009 cheating scandal by Atlanta Public Schools.

Fall classes begin at the university on Aug. 19.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Scott Barkley is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press.)