Missing high school coach Travis Turner left home without essential items as family pleads for him to face child porn allegations
Virginia high‑school football coach Travis Turner disappeared after leaving his most important things behind, and his family has posted a distressing plea urging him to confront the accusations that have led prosecutors to bring child‑pornography charges against him.
According to his attorney, Adrian Collins, Turner abandoned his vehicle, keys, contact lenses, glasses, and the daily medication he relies on at his residence in Appalachia before being last seen heading into the woods on November 20.
Collins noted that Travis’ wallet, driver’s license, cash, and everything inside it were left behind, along with the prescription drugs he needs each day.
Earlier, he added that the well‑known head coach of Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, fled into the dense woods carrying a firearm.
“This was something he had done multiple times throughout the years,” Collins explained about Coach Turner’s regular trips into the forest.
After Travis failed to return, his wife — Leslie Caudill Turner — reached out to law enforcement and filed a missing‑person report the next day.
At the moment of his disappearance, the coach was not considered a fugitive, as police had not yet charged him; the accusations followed a few days later.
Collins rejected any suggestion that Leslie Caudill Turner was involved in his disappearance.
“His wife was not helping him escape, she was asking for help to find him,” he said.
The attorney revealed that Leslie and their children are deeply upset by Travis’ absence and are praying for his safe return.
“Leslie pleads for you to come home and face the allegations by defending yourself in a court of law. Don’t leave your family to fight this battle without you,” Collins said.
“They love and miss you. They want you to know they are your support.”
Initially treated as a simple missing‑person case, the situation escalated when state police announced that the 46‑year‑old husband and father is wanted on five child‑pornography counts and five computer‑solicitation charges involving a minor.
The Virginia State Police confirmed they, along with the FBI and U.S. Marshals, continue to search for Turner.
The Marshals have offered a $5,000 reward for any information that leads to his arrest.
Leslie Caudill Turner, who has been married to Travis for 25 years, erased her social‑media presence after the arrest warrant was issued.
Officials have warned that he may be armed and urged people to exercise caution before approaching him.
Once the charges hit the headlines, Union High School removed him from its staff directory.
Before vanishing, Coach Turner had guided the team to an undefeated season.
Since his disappearance, the squad has taken two playoff victories and is now headed for the state semi‑finals after winning the regional championship on Saturday.
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