THE son of fugitive Travis Turner has broken his silence during the first public outing since the ex-football coach was charged with child sex crimes.
Bailey Turner, 23, attended the football game of his dad’s former team against the Ridgeview High School Wolfpack on Saturday.
The Virginia-based team, the Union High School Bears, continued their unbeaten season with a 21-14 win which began under the helm of his dad.
Bailey, who watched on from the sidelines, appeared visibly upset and was tearful as he called the win “bittersweet” amid the search for his father, the Daily Mail reported.
Turner, 46, vanished from his Appalachia home where he lived with his wife and three children on November 20.
That same day, Virginia State Police arrived at the house to question the high school coach, but he had already gone.
His family has said that he was last seen disappearing into the nearby woodland with a firearm and they have not heard from him since.
The family’s attorney clarified that at the time he fled the home, there were no warrants out for Turner’s arrest.
But, on Tuesday, cops confirmed that 10 warrants have been issued and he has been charged with five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
“The investigation remains ongoing,” Police spokesperson Robin Lawson said.
“Additional charges are pending.”
Cops have scoured the mountain wilderness for the wanted man but have not yet found anything.
Bailey Turner, who was a former quarterback with the Bears, told the Mail that his family “appreciated the support” they have received from the community in the wake of the bombshell allegations.
He was seen on the sidelines celebrating with the team after Saturday’s win and taking photos with fans.
According to the outlet, he was fighting back tears as the final whistle blew and his father’s colleagues, the other coaches, rushed onto the field to begin celebrations.
“Everyone is here to support the team, and wants them to do well. It’s a tight knit community and this really hit everyone hard,” a fan anonymously told The Mail.
“A lot of people have known the family for years, since Travis’ father coached the team and that makes it harder. It’s not something anyone wants to talk about, especially today.
“Today is about the boys and the team doing their best.”
After charges were filed against Turner, Wise County Public Schools, which oversees Union High, issued a brief statement clarifying that Turner is on administrative leave.
“The individual remains on leave and is not permitted on school property or to have contact with students,” they said.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/15569515/travis-turner-son-breaks-silence-football-coach-charges/
