Tuscaloosa Couple Arrested After Alleged Abuse of Adopted Child

A Tuscaloosa man and his wife have been arrested after an investigation found evidence that he was sexually abusing their adopted child, and she knew about it.

Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said they maintain a special division of investigators who specialize in sex crimes.

This week, the VCU received a report that a juvenile victim was being sexually abused by their adoptive father.

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"During the investigation, the reports were substantiated," Kennedy said, and 47-year-old Phillip Scott Watts was arrested and charged with first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse, first-degree sodomy, incest, and tampering with physical evidence.

Phillip Watts was placed in the Tuscaloosa County Jail with no bond. His wife was also arrested.

"The investigation also discovered that his wife, Kati Rhodes Watts, age 39, had knowledge of the abuse and did not report the crimes," Kennedy said. "Kati Watts was employed as a daycare worker during the time of the abuse, and therefore is subject to the Alabama Mandatory Reporting Law."

The 39-year-old was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of violating of the Mandatory Reporting Law. Her bond was set at $1,200.

"This investigation is ongoing," Kennedy said. "More charges are possible as the investigation continues. Due to the nature of the assaults and known proclivities of these types of offenders, we encourage anyone who may have been a victim or knows of any possible abuse by these subjects to please contact the Violent Crimes Unit at (205) 464-8690."

No other details were available on Wednesday, and Kennedy said some aspects of the case will be kept confidential in order to protect the privacy of the victim.

For more exclusive coverage of crime and courts in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.