Tennessee Man Arrested After Gruesome Assault and Kidnapping
Knoxville Incident Shocks Community
In a harrowing incident in Knoxville, Tennessee, a 19-year-old man named Charles Coffman is facing serious charges after allegedly beating a man with a plunger, pouring bleach on his wounds, and abducting his three-year-old daughter. This shocking case has left the local community in disbelief as details emerge of the violent confrontation.
Assault and Immediate Arrest
According to warrants released by law enforcement, police responded to an alarming call indicating that Coffman may have killed someone and taken his child. Upon arrival, officers forced entry into a residence to discover a victim in severe distress—stripped and injured in a bathtub, with a strong odor of bleach permeating the air. The victim, who suffered significant head trauma, was transported to a local hospital as authorities began searching for the missing child.
Police subsequently issued a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) alert for the victim’s vehicle, which was located approximately 30 miles away in Sevierville. A traffic stop led to the apprehension of Coffman, who was found inside the vehicle with the young girl and a woman. The child was taken to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for evaluation as Coffman was placed under arrest.
Coffman’s Confession and Ongoing Investigation
During questioning, Coffman provided detectives with a disturbing account of the incident. He stated that he received a phone call from his mother, currently incarcerated, instructing him to retrieve the child from the victim’s home. He admitted to physically assaulting the victim, employing a plunger as a weapon, and then dragging him into the bathroom to pour bleach over the wounds. Coffman also claimed that he believed he had permission from his mother to take the victim’s car.
Adding to the complexity of the case, when detectives contacted Coffman’s mother, she denied having any conversation with her son regarding the circumstances of the incident and disavowed any intent to grant him custody of the child or the vehicle. Both Coffman’s mother and the victim are the legal guardians of the toddler.
Legal Ramifications and Next Steps
Coffman has been charged with attempted second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, theft, and tampering with evidence. As he awaits a bond hearing scheduled for Friday, the investigation continues to unfold. The woman accompanying Coffman at the time of the arrest also informed authorities that she overheard him expressing uncertainty about the victim’s fate.
This shocking crime comes as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in unstable family situations. The community is grappling with the implications of such a brutal act and its impact on the lives involved.
As this story develops, further updates will be provided regarding the legal proceedings and the welfare of the innocent child caught in this terrifying situation.
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