Rhea County pair charged

A Rhea County, Tenn., couple has been charged in a child sexual abuse investigation.

Dustin Ault, 37, is charged with three counts of child rape, two counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and five counts in relation to other sex crimes. His wife, 37-yearold Michala Ault, is charged with child endangerment and child abuse and neglect for allegedly having knowledge of the abuse but not reporting it, Rhea County Sheriff’s Office investigator Rocky Potter said.

“I’ve been working on the case for maybe a month, but it’s been happening for the past few years,” Potter said Thursday.

The victim told a friend’s mother and a school counselor and they both notified authorities, Potter said.

State Department of Children’s Services officials were notified and the victim was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center in Chattanooga.

The victim “gave great detail about the assault and details about assaults …” Potter said.

Investigators also were able to recover some forensic evidence, he said.

Potter said the victim was doing “really well,” and noted that authorities are also talking with the child’s sibling.

Dustin Ault is being held on $150,000 bond and Michala Ault is being held on $20,000 bond, officials said.

Officials said the Aults face an initial hearing today in Rhea County Circuit Court before Judge Justin Angel.