Wife of Missing Football Coach Wanted on Child Pornography Charges Didn’t Help Him Escape: Lawyer

need to know

• An attorney for the family of wanted Virginia high school football coach Travis Turner said in a statement this week that Turner’s wife did not assist him in fleeing police.

• Turner’s wife last saw him on November 20, the day before she reported him missing to police

• Five days after Turner disappeared, Virginia State Police announced 10 charges against Turner related to possession of child pornography and use of computers to solicit minors.

Attorneys for the family of missing high school football coach Travis Turner said this week that the Virginia fugitive’s wife did not help him escape when he disappeared late last month.

Turner, 46, was last seen on November 20, less than a week after Virginia State Police announced 10 arrest warrants for him on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.

“Instead of helping him escape, his wife asked for help finding him,” the family’s attorney, Adrian Collins, said in a statement to the media, local WCYB reported.

“The family of Travis Turner will continue to cooperate with law enforcement in their search for Travis,” Collins continued in the statement. “Their home and property have been searched multiple times with their consent.”

The family’s attorney added: “While the family’s last contact with Travis leaves them extremely concerned for his health, they remain hopeful that he will be found and have the opportunity to defend himself in court.”

A spokesperson for the Virginia State Police had no comment when asked by PEOPLE about investigators’ interest in Turner’s wife.

“We do not have any updates to share at this time,” a state police spokesman said. “The search is ongoing with assistance from the Marshals Service and the FBI. We are still asking for the public’s assistance with any information that may lead to Turner’s whereabouts.”

Earlier this week, People reported that Turner’s wife allegedly told police she last saw her husband walking into the woods near their home in Appalachia, Virginia, on November 20, the day before she officially reported him missing to local authorities.

Turner’s disappearance came just days after his Union High School boys’ football team, which was undefeated and began playoff play in Virginia, drew widespread attention and caused an uproar in the local community.

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In a statement this week, Collins went over “some additional details” on what the Turner family said happened, WCYB reported.

“Travis was last seen by some of his family members walking into the woods near their home with a gun,” Collins reiterated in a statement on behalf of the family. “He had done this many times over the years. When he did not come home that night, his wife, concerned, sought help from law enforcement. As directed, she filed a missing persons report with Virginia State Police the next day.”

Collins added that Turner’s “wife’s concerns were heightened by the fact that: Travis’ car and keys were left at home. Travis wore contact lenses during the day and glasses at night. Travis’ contact lens supplies and glasses were left at home. Travis’ wallet, driver’s license, cash and all of their belongings were left at home. Travis was prescribed some of the daily medications he needed, which were left at home.”

“Travis did not appear to be missing or a runaway, and criminal charges were not filed against him until several days after he failed to return home,” Collins said.

The family’s attorney also issued a plea to Turner: “If Travis had been competent and able to respond to his family’s wishes; your wife and children would be in trouble,” Collins said. “Leslie begs you to come home, defend yourself in court and face the charges. Don’t let your family fight this battle without you. They love you and miss you. They want you to know they have your back.”

People contacted Collins multiple times this week for more information but had not received a response as of Thursday, December 4.

Turner is currently considered a fugitive by Virginia State Police, and authorities will continue to search for him this week, ABC News, WCYB and WJHL reported.

Read the original article on People