News

Investigation has turned up no evidence to support sex offense allegation at youth club

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 11, 2025

A Hendersonville police investigation into an allegation that a 9-year-old female was sexually assaulted by an adult male employee at the Boys and Girls Club has so far turned up no evidence that supports the report, the city said in a news release on Monday.

Police opened an investigation after receiving a report that an alleged sex offense had occured on July 24. Besides reporting that it had found no evidence to support the allegation, police said: "Additionally, we know of no other victims."

"We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we work through this complex, sensitive and ongoing investigation," police said in the news release. "Our goal is always to determine the facts and reach a conclusion based on any reliable evidence."

Boys & Girls Club President Steve Gwaltney issued a statement on the new development.

"The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County holds the safety and protection of the young people we serve as our absolute highest priority, and we take any situation that might impact their well-being very seriously," he said. "We are aware of and have fully cooperated with the police investigation into allegations regarding the Club and it is our understanding that detectives with the Hendersonville Police Department have determined that there is no evidence that corroborates the allegations, and that the evidence contradicts those allegations at least insofar as they relate to the Club or its current or former employees.

"Our entire team and Board of Directors remain focused on providing a safe, secure and welcoming environment for the kids we serve," Gwaltney added.