Christopher Thomas Collins, 42, was arrested on January 14 after police discovered explicit videos and photographs of a minor on his cell phone. The videos were recorded by hidden bathroom cameras installed in his home in Hixson, Tennessee.
According to court documents, Collins’ wife found the content while she was holding his phone during a medical procedure. She reported that the videos showed their former babysitter changing clothes, using the toilet, and entering and exiting the shower. The recordings were made without the minor’s knowledge or consent and in areas where she had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Collins admitted to police that he knew about the cameras and used a mobile application to view images on his phone, including keeping a naked image for a period before deleting it. A forensic examination revealed nine video files time-stamped in 2025.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office seized two SD cards from the hidden cameras and an older cell phone during a traffic stop that led to Collins’ arrest. Collins was charged with nine counts of especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor under Tennessee law.
Abba’s House, where Collins had served as a deacon, confirmed he has been stripped of his title following his arrest. The church has arranged for his wife’s hotel stay and financial support until she can recover.
Collins appeared in court on Tuesday morning with $50,000 bond set pending the charges.
