Former Knox, N.J.-S.P. Teacher Accused of Molesting Daughter

Gary K. Kuechenberg
Gary K. Kuechenberg

A former teacher in the Knox and North Judson-San Pierre School Corporations is accused of molesting his then-12-year-old daughter, according to authorities in Vanderburg County.

Gary K. Kuechenberg faces two Level 4 felony counts of child molestation in connection with the incidents, which authorities say occurred in January of 2016. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and Child Protective Services responded Thursday night to investigate the allegations. They say the victim, who is now 13, told another family member her father had molested her. She later told a forensic interviewer at Holly’s House in Evansville that on two occasions her father came into her bedroom, turned off the lights, locked the door, partially removed her clothing and touched her exposed buttocks and breasts.

Kuechenberg was arrested Friday afternoon. According to a Vanderburg County  Sheriff’s Office news release, he admitted committing the offenses as described by the victim, explained that he felt terrible about his actions and expressed remorse.

Kuechenberg has taught in the Vanderburgh Community School Corporation since 2014. He taught music at Knox Elementary from 1994 through 2013 and was the band director at North Judson-San Pierre from 1987 until 1994. “The Evansville Courier and Press” reports the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation has suspended an employee as a result of a Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office investigation, and the charges are not school related. A school spokesman would not confirm for the paper that Kuechenberg was the affected employee.