A 19-year-old Tennessee man, Charles Coffman, is in jail after allegedly beating a man with a plunger and fleeing with the victim’s toddler.
Coffman has been charged with attempted second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, aggravated kidnapping, and theft following a violent altercation and kidnapping in Knoxville.
The Disturbing Incident
On Sunday morning, police responded to a welfare check at a home in Knoxville. A caller had expressed concern that the man inside might be dead and that his 3-year-old daughter may have been kidnapped.
When police arrived at the scene, they forced their way into the house and found the victim in the bathroom. The homeowner, naked and severely injured, was suffering from a serious head injury. The house also had a strong smell of bleach, but the toddler was missing.
The victim’s vehicle, a Ford Expedition, was also missing, prompting police to issue an alert. Later, the car was located, along with Coffman, an unnamed woman, and the missing child.
Coffman’s Alleged Confession
According to police reports, Coffman told officers that his mother had called him from jail and instructed him to take the child from the home. Coffman explained that he and the woman had taken an Uber to the house, where he got into a violent altercation with the homeowner.
Coffman allegedly admitted to repeatedly slamming the victim to the ground, hitting him with his fists, and then using a toilet plunger to strike him. He reportedly shoved the plunger into the victim’s mouth and dragged him into the bathroom. Coffman then allegedly poured bleach on the victim’s wounds, causing further injury.
The Kidnapping and Theft
After the brutal attack, Coffman reportedly took the victim’s vehicle, claiming he had permission from the child’s mother to do so. However, when police spoke to Coffman’s mother, she denied any such conversation and insisted that she had not spoken to her son recently.
She also stated that she would not have allowed him to take custody of the child or steal the car.
The woman who accompanied Coffman to the victim’s house told police that she had entered the home and found the victim lying on the floor. Coffman allegedly handed her the child, and the two of them left in the stolen vehicle.
She also mentioned overhearing a phone call between Coffman and someone else, during which he discussed the fight and seemed uncertain about whether the victim was alive or dead.
The Victim’s Condition
The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and other serious injuries. Police were unable to speak to him directly due to the severity of his condition.
Coffman’s Arrest and Charges
Charles Coffman was arrested and booked into the Knox County Jail on Monday. He faces serious charges, including attempted second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and theft. His bond hearing has been scheduled for Friday, where the court will determine the next steps in his case.
This violent and disturbing incident has left the local community shocked. The brutal attack and kidnapping have raised concerns about the safety of children and the potential for escalating violence in domestic situations. As the investigation continues, Coffman remains in custody, facing serious legal consequences for his actions.
