News Summary
Charles Dakota Coffman, a 19-year-old man, has been arrested on charges including attempted second-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping following a violent incident in Knoxville. Police discovered a severely injured man in a bathroom and later apprehended Coffman with a missing child in a stolen vehicle. This shocking event has raised concerns in the local community about child safety and domestic violence.
Knoxville – A 19-year-old man, Charles Dakota Coffman, has been arrested on multiple serious charges including attempted second-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, theft, and tampering with evidence following a violent incident that reportedly involved a child. The arrest came after police were called to conduct a welfare check on Mercer Street, where concerns were raised that Coffman may have harmed a man and taken his daughter.
Officers arrived at the scene on Sunday morning to discover a naked man suffering from severe head injuries in a bathroom. The man was found among a strong smell of bleach and displayed signs of having undergone an aggressive assault. He was later determined to have suffered a subdural hematoma and other critical injuries, rendering him unable to provide police with a statement regarding the incident.
According to preliminary reports, Coffman admitted to engaging in a physical altercation with the victim, who is the child’s legal guardian. Based on his confession, Coffman slammed the victim to the ground, struck him multiple times, and used a toilet plunger to deliver blows to the victim while also forcing it into the victim’s mouth. Following this violent episode, Coffman confessed to dragging the victim into the bathroom, removing his clothing, and pouring bleach onto his injuries.
While the victim lay incapacitated, the three-year-old girl was initially unaccounted for, prompting police to issue a Be On the Look Out (BOLO) alert for the victim’s stolen car. Later on, a vehicle matching the description was stopped by the Sevierville Police Department, leading to the discovery of Coffman, a woman, and the missing child inside the car.
The child was promptly taken to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for medical evaluation to ensure her safety and well-being following the traumatic event. Coffman told officers that he believed he had received permission from his mother to take the victim’s vehicle; however, she later denied granting such permission during discussions with law enforcement.
Upon further investigation and questioning, Coffman expressed uncertainty about the victim’s condition, suggesting he might have killed him. He was later requested to write an apology letter to the victim, which he reportedly complied with. As of Tuesday afternoon, Coffman was being held at the Knox County Jail, with his bond status remaining unspecified.
This violent incident has raised alarms within the local community about the safety and protection of children. The authorities are continuing their investigation, and additional charges may be anticipated as details continue to emerge.
Background on Coffman reveals this is a significant incident leading to his arrest given the severity of the allegations against him. The charges stemming from such an extreme act of violence against both the male victim and his daughter complicate the legal landscape and raise pressing questions about accountability in cases of domestic disputes and child endangerment.
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Additional Resources
- WATE: Man Facing Attempted Murder & Kidnapping Charges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Attempted Murder
- WBIR: 19-Year-Old Accused of Beating & Kidnapping
- Google Search: Aggravated Kidnapping
- Clarksville Now: US Marshals Arrest Knoxville Man
- Google News: Kidnapping Charges
- WATE: Knoxville Man Sentenced for Stabbing & Kidnapping
- Wikipedia: Kidnapping
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Abuse
