Ava*, b. 1999, was sexually abused by singer/songwriter Ryan Adams (pictured) when she was between 14 and 16 years old. Ava was homeschooled.

Ava began playing bass as a child. “By 12, she was road-tripping with her family to Manhattan for gigs with established musicians.” She was homeschooled due to bullying. When she was 13, her father died. When she was 14, she met Adams on social media. The two began an online sexual relationship involving over 3,000 text messages over the course of two years, some including explicit photos of Ava, and phone sex by video call where Adams exposed himself. Adams told Ava to keep their interactions secret. Unhappy with the idea that she would have to have sex with Adams to succeed in her music career, Ava quit music.

The FBI has opened an inquiry into Ava’s abuse.

*Ava is her middle name
**Note that while this case does not involve abuse of a homeschooled child by a parent, guardian, or other relative, it does provide evidence that homeschooling does not prevent sexual abuse.

Date: 2013
Location: Ohio

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