Stories like this make people ask the same blunt question: who is protecting kids when adults in positions of trust are accused of the worst crimes? A man who styled himself as “Ms. Sharon” and drove a school bus is now behind bars, accused of exploiting his access to teenagers and turning a place of safety into a crime scene. The details are painful, the arrests are real, and the instinct to defend children must be stronger than any ideological cover.
Authorities in North Carolina arrested 48-year-old Leetwain Darrell Tate after allegations surfaced that he sexually assaulted several boys he allegedly lured to his house. Reports say the victims were 14 and 15 years old, and investigators believe there could be more victims who have not yet come forward. This is not a cultural debate; it is a criminal investigation where law enforcement is doing the work of protecting the vulnerable.
Society has a responsibility to call evil by its name and to strip away euphemisms that shield predators. When adults in trusted roles betray children, we should demand swift, transparent investigations and consequences, and we should resist any impulse to let ideology or identity get in the way of basic justice. Parents, school officials, and law enforcement all have a duty to prioritize the safety of kids above every other consideration.
Tate previously worked as a bus driver at Sugar Creek Charter School. Police said the reported incidents took place at a private home and not on school property or during work hours.
According to newly released details, CMPD officers were called to the area of Peachtree Road and Corvis Road on September 16 after a concerned parent reported that her child had been sexually assaulted. The investigation revealed that several teenagers had been staying with Tate at [his] home, where inappropriate and unlawful sexual activity was reported.
Community reaction has been raw and immediate, and neighbors say they feel disturbed by what they’ve learned. Families rely on bus drivers, coaches, and other adults who interact with kids to act responsibly and lawfully, and when those lines are crossed it breeds suspicion and fear. That erosion of trust is a secondary injury to the victims and their families, and it will take work to rebuild.
Law enforcement has charged Tate with multiple counts, including statutory rape and indecent liberties with a minor, and he’s being held on a high bond. Those charges reflect the seriousness with which prosecutors view alleged crimes against children, and the legal process will now work through evidence, witness statements, and courtroom scrutiny. Conservatives should support due process, but we should also insist that the victims are heard, protected, and supported.
This case also exposes a cultural blind spot: when identity politics or performative acceptance become louder than parental instincts and common sense, children can fall through the cracks. Far too often the Left elevates labels and narratives over the simple, urgent need to keep kids safe from sexual predators. Being compassionate does not mean being naive about behavior that is criminal and predatory.
We owe a special thanks to brave parents and the crimes unit for stepping in and forcing the truth into the light. Victims coming forward is never easy, and it often takes enormous courage for young people and their families to report abuse. Communities must rally support services, counseling, and protection for those harmed while ensuring investigations proceed without political interference.
I appreciate the work of the Crimes Against Children unit for their serious investigation, as well as the courage of these juvenile victims who came forward in this case. This is, by no means, easy for the victims to relive the terrible crimes committed against them, but their courage led to the arrest of a violent criminal. In many cases, crimes against children are never reported. Fear, shame, or threats of an abuser keep the victim silent, meaning there’s always a chance that more victims are suffering, suffering in silence.
Defense claims from family members are predictable but not determinative, and neighbors who reported feeling “disturbed” are a reminder that community instincts matter. Courts will sort facts from allegations, but public pressure must ensure that the process is thorough and not rushed or softened by political sensitivity. Children deserve full accountability for predators, not negotiated compromises to preserve an agenda.
Politicians and media should stop weaponizing language and start protecting the public. When cases like this occur, the conversation should be about victims, evidence, and reforms that prevent repeat horrors. Conservatives should push for stronger screening for anyone working with children, better reporting procedures, and tougher consequences for those who abuse positions of trust.
