12 On Your Side Investigates: Victim speaks after parole denied for Augusta child psychologist

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A victim of a convicted Augusta child psychologist is speaking out after the Georgia Parole Board reversed its tentative decision to grant parole to Dr. Kenneth McPherson, who was accused of sexually abusing young patients.

Zachary Potts, who first contacted 12 On Your Side in 2021, said the parole denial proves that victims have power in the justice system.

McPherson had been tentatively granted parole back in August before the board changed course and denied his release.

“They need to really, they need to go ahead and speak up if something is not right about their case,” Potts said. “Or if they don’t feel like they got enough justice done to it.”

Years-long fight for justice

Potts and his grandmother first reached out to 12 On Your Side Investigates because McPherson had been out on bond for more than a decade without a court date.

His grandmother expressed frustration at the time, saying McPherson was “still out there walking the streets. Not even registered as a pedophile.”

After our investigation began, McPherson suddenly found himself facing a judge. Though Potts’ grandmother died before seeing the case resolved, he believes she would have been proud of his continued advocacy.

Letter to parole board makes impact

Potts said he was unaware of McPherson’s tentative parole until contacted by 12 On Your Side. He then wrote a letter to the parole board opposing the release.

“I mean, it’s in files, but they don’t actually know what, what really happened down here,” Potts said.

While the exact reason for the board’s reversal remains unknown, Potts believes his letter and those from other alleged victims influenced the decision.

More from 12 On Your Side Investigates:

Potential housing violation discovered

An investigation into McPherson’s proposed release address revealed it was within 1,000 feet of a neighborhood swimming pool and park, which appears to violate Georgia sex offender laws.

12 On Your Sides Investigates uncovered that during the course of our investigation, and victims asked that we share this information with the parole board in a letter.

We did send a letter with what we found and included links to our other reports as well, though it’s unclear if it factored into the denial decision.

McPherson has one year remaining on his sentence, meaning the parole denial will not keep him incarcerated significantly longer. However, victims connected to the case said the principle matters to them — they don’t want him released even a minute early.

Potts encouraged other victims to speak out if they feel the system has ignored them, as he felt ignored during the years he waited for justice.

“My Aunt Kelly was talking about, you need to call Meredith Anderson,” Potts said. “It was years ago. We should have, we should have called years ago, really, when this was going on, and maybe something could have been done sooner.”

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