zirovsky

A judge has set bond for Nicole Ballew “Nikki” Callaham, 33, of Anderson, South Carolina, United States at $40,000. She was ordered not to have contact with Grant Strickland’s family.

Nicole Callaham

Callaham is a teacher and a mother of one. She did not have a prior arrest before she was accused of having a prolonged and inappropriate relationship with Strickland, who attended the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH) in Greenville, South Carolina.

Aside from teaching, Callaham worked with Project Challenge Playhouse, a nonprofit that works with the Anderson School District 5 to give students in Anderson the opportunity to participate in quality performing arts events. When Strickland’s family first met her, she was the director of musical theater productions for a play.

In 2017, Callaham started teaching at Homeland Park Primary School in Anderson. Strickland was 14 when she allegedly started grooming him in 2021.

Homeland Park Primary School is around 32 miles away from SCGSAH. Callaham allegedly made arrangements to sneak Strickland out of SCGSAH.

On May 21, 2025, Callaham resigned from her job as a Homeland Park Primary School teacher. On July 10, 2025, she turned herself in to the Anderson County Detention Center in Anderson and appeared in bond court.

Strickland spoke in the court and a letter written by his mother was read by a detective. Callaham will be transferred to Greenville upon her release.

The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office charged Callaham with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and three counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor. The Greenville Police Department charged her with four counts of unlawful conduct toward a child and eight counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor.

Another investigation into Callaham is underway in Clemson, South Carolina. She is currently pregnant, according to her defense attorney.