Administrators were aware of the allegations against Union High School football coach Travis Turner before he went missing last month, according to a bombshell email.
In a letter written to Wise County School Board Chair Larry Greear and a member of the Virginia House of Delegates obtained by Daily Mail on Wednesday, December 10, a mother expressed “deep concern with the culture that has been allowed to develop — and in most cases, thrive — within the district.”
The mother alleged “that members of the school’s administrative team were made aware” of the accusations against Turner, but “failed to report them to law enforcement and social services.. within 24 hours,” as is required by Code of Virginia law.
“These patterns point to a systemic issue that can no longer be ignored,” the letter said, accusing the school board of “sweeping under the rug” other “’involving adults in appointed positions to serve our children.”
Turner, 46, disappeared on November 20, last seen by members of his family walking into the woods behind his home while carrying a firearm.
Days after he went missing, Turner was charged with five counts of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor.
“As a parent, I am heartbroken and angry,” the letter concluded. “I am asking for answers, for action, and for assurance that our schools will no longer be a place where misconduct is ignored or concealed.”
Us Weekly has reached out to the Wise County School Board and Union High School for comment.
Union High, located in Stone Gap, Virginia, was also rocked by a similar scandal in 2023, when former teacher Timothy Lee Meador was indicted on three felony charges and pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent liberties with a child. Meador, now 28, served 15 months in prison and was banned from the school.
Turner had coached football at Union since 2011, where he was also a physical education teacher.
The Wise County School Board held their first meeting since Turner’s disappearance on Monday, December 8.
The gathering was described as “tense” by WCYB-News 5 and did not allow for any public comment.
“We just decided that tonight we just wouldn’t have open expression,” school board chair Greear said.
Greear added, “Our main focus is the kids, we want to keep them as normal as possible. We have resources, we have counseling services available in addition to what they ordinarily have at that particular site.”
News 5 spoke to parents at the meeting who said they were “aggravated and concerned about what they say is a lack of communication from the school board.”
Public comment will be reinstated at the next meeting, which is scheduled for January 12.
When reached by Us Weekly on Tuesday, December 9, a spokesperson for the Virginia State Police said there were “no updates to share at this time” about the search for Turner.
The United States Marshals Service joined the search on December 1, which has employed the use of drones, K-9 units and a helicopter.
A $5,000 reward for information about Turner’s whereabouts was issued by the U.S. Marshals the same day they hit the ground in Virginia, urging individuals to call 911 or the Virginia State Police, or visit usmarshals.gov/tips.
