How Could You? Hall of Shame-Phillip Scott Watts and Kati Rhodes Watts

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, adoptive parents, Phillip Scott Watts, 47, and Kati Rhodes Watts, 39, have both been arrested “in connection to the sexual abuse of a child in their care. Over the past week, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) has investigated reports of a juvenile being sexually abused by their adopted father.”

“Phillip Watts has been taken to jail, where he’s being held without bond. His charges for crimes against his adopted daughter include:

• Rape 1st degree
• Sexual abuse 1st degree
• Sodomy 1st degree
• Tampering with Physical Evidence
• Incest

Although Phillip Watts was the parent allegedly sexually abusing the child, the mother was found to know about the abuse while also working at a daycare. That makes Kati Watts a mandated reporter under the Alabama Mandatory Reporting Law that allegedly neglected to report an abused child.

Kati Watts is being held in jail with a $1,200 bond. Her charges include:

• Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• 2 counts of Violation of the Mandatory Reporting Law

Investigation into the abuse is ongoing, and the TCSO says that more charges could possibly come.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse in similar circumstances, please call the Violent Crimes Unit at 205-464-8690.”

Man and wife arrested for child sexual abuse in Tuscaloosa County

[ABC 3340 4/8/26 by Hannah Bazinaw]

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