Leslie Caudill Turner, wife of missing high school football coach Travis Turner, has strongly denied child pornography accusations against her husband. She responded after Turner was charged with five counts of possessing child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
"None of it’s true," Leslie told the Daily Mail in a report published Tuesday, November 25. "He’s a good father and a good husband and we want him home, that’s all."
She added, "I don’t know anything. I don’t know anything. I’m sorry."
The charges against Travis Turner were announced on Tuesday. Virginia State Police have now designated him a "fugitive."
Leslie stated, "We’re all just waiting until we hear something."
Travis Turner disappeared on Thursday, November 20. This occurred as agents from the Criminal Investigation Bureau were en route to his home for questioning in an ongoing investigation.
While agents were on their way, they were informed that Turner was no longer at his residence. Virginia State Police maintained that agents were not being sent to his home to arrest him.
When questioned about speculation that her husband fled with a rifle, Leslie replied, "They told me not to comment."
The search for Turner has primarily focused on a wooded area behind his home. First Sergeant Jason Day of the Virginia State Police explained this on Saturday, November 22.
"He went into the woods right near his general home location, and that’s basically where we’ve focused our search," Day told News Channel 11.
Turner vanished the day before Wise County Public Schools announced an unnamed staff member was under investigation.
"At this time, a staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an outside agency reviews an allegation reported to us," Wise County Public Schools stated on Friday, November 21. "This is standard procedure and not a determination of wrongdoing. The division cannot comment further."
Without naming Turner, the school district informed the Daily Mail that the employee "remains on leave and is not allowed on school property or to have contact with students."
Police noted that other charges against Travis Turner remain pending. The investigation continues to be open.
Leslie first addressed her husband’s disappearance in a social media post that was later deleted on Friday.
"I just wanted to get on for a moment to clarify something — at this time, 10:25 PM Friday night, Travis is missing and that is all we know," Leslie wrote. "We love him and we need him here with us. Thank you to all who have shown love and support. It means more than you know. Keep praying he comes home."
Union High School, where Travis Turner had coached since 2011, was in the midst of an undefeated 12-0 season when he disappeared.
With interim coach Jay Edwards at the helm, Union defeated Graham High School 12-0 in the state regional semifinals on Saturday, November 22. Union High School is scheduled to face Ridgeview High School in the state regional final on Saturday, November 29.