CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Adams woman charged with failure to report child sexual abuse in connection with her husband’s 2019 case – when he was indicted on nearly three dozen sex-related offenses – was sentenced Wednesday to nearly two years of probation.

Christy Monson, 44, and her husband, Christopher Scott Monson, 55, were indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury in December 2019. The indictment listed 33 charges against Christopher, among them aggravated sexual battery and rape of a child. Clarksville Now has excluded details to protect the privacy of victims.

Christy Monson was charged with two counts of failure to report child sexual abuse, coercion of a witness and tampering with evidence, according to previous reports.

Both defendants were heading to trial in May when Christopher’s case was severed. He pleaded guilty to certain lesser charges, among them criminal attempt to commit aggravated sexual battery, according to previous reports. Christopher received two consecutive five-year sentences, for a total of 10 years probation, with all remaining counts dismissed, according to previous reports. He was required to register as a sex offender for life and have no contact with the victims.

On July 13, Christy Monson took a “no-contest” open plea to both counts of failing to report child sex abuse, according to court records. All other charges were dismissed in settlement.

‘The little girl I was deserved to be protected,’ victim says

One of the victims testified during the sentencing hearing. She told the court the abuse began when she was about 5 or 6 years old. She said she first told Christy Monson about the abuse when she was 15, and Christy did not believe her.

At 17, she said, she notified Christy again when an 18-year-old friend disclosed similar abuse. She also disclosed the situation to her boss, who called police on her behalf, despite Christy asking him “not to report it,” the victim said.

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She asked the court to deny judicial diversion. “I believe she had many opportunities to speak up and protect me, and she did not do that,” she said. “So I do not think that she deserves any lesser punishment than what she’s already getting.”

She then read a letter into the record addressing Monson: “Christy, the greatest betrayal of my life is not only what (he) did to me, but what you failed to do for me when I needed you most. … When I first told you that (he) was sexually abusing me, you did not call the police. … I told you on three separate occasions. After the third time, when I told you he had also done this to my friend, you still did not protect me. … What happened to me has affected my ability to trust people, feel safe and have healthy relationships. … I’m speaking today because my voice matters, what happened to me matters and the little girl I was deserved to be protected.”

Prosecution, defense argue over judicial diversion

Assistant District Attorney Kayla McBride argued against judicial diversion. “The state’s position is that judicial diversion is not appropriate in this case,” McBride said.

She asked the court to consider the circumstances of the offense and deterrence value. “Ms. Monson had every opportunity to protect (her) over the course of approximately a year,” she said.

McBride argued after Christy was notified of the sexual abuse, she chose to “save her marriage and sacrifice (the victim) to do that.” She also requested the court continue the no-contact order and require a mental health evaluation.

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Defense attorney Jake Fendley argued in favor of judicial diversion. “Ms. Monson has no criminal history, has no new charges since this occurred and has no issues attending court,” Fendley said, adding that she has maintained the same job in Clarksville for the last 23 years.

He said although her husband entered a guilty plea, Christy Monson “maintains that she does not believe (the victim)” and was not aware of any corroborating signs beyond the victim’s statements. He argued there was no evidence she had personal knowledge of the abuse and that she had “her husband’s word versus (the victim’s) word.”

Sentencing: Nearly 2 years probation

Judge William Goodman III denied judicial diversion. “There is a critical distinction between confessing guilt to a crime and accepting responsibility for wrongful conduct,” Goodman said. “I understand that there’s no admission here by Ms. Monson that she committed a crime, but there’s the issue of responsibility.”

Failure to report child sex abuse, a Class A Misdemeanor, is punishable by up to 11 months and 29 days. Goodman ordered Christy Monson to serve 11 months and 29 days on each count, to run consecutively.

“There was a statement to Ms. Monson from (the victim) that she was being abused,” Goodman said. “Again and again, no action was taken.”

He also ordered for Christy Monson to have no contact with the victim and to undergo a mental health evaluation.

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