Child death investigation leads to abuse, neglect charges against TN man
“During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that the child died from chronic blunt force injuries and malnourishment, and the manner of death was homicide.”
CHAPMANSBORO, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Tennessee man is facing several charges of child abuse following an investigation into the death of a child by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
The TBI reports that agents charged a Chapmansboro man in connection to the 2023 death of his child.
In July 2023, the TBI began investigating the death of a child, Turner Simpkins. The boy was found dead at home on Poplar Ridge Road in Chapmansboro.
“During the course of the investigation, agents developed information that the child died from chronic blunt force injuries and malnourishment, and the manner of death was homicide,” the TBI said. “Agents further learned of prolonged child abuse by the girlfriend of the victim’s father Austin Simpkins.”
The TBI’s investigation revealed that the abuse occurred over several months and Austin Simpkins had not reported any abuse nor attempted to stop it.
Simpkins was charged with one count of aggravated child neglect and three counts of child abuse and child neglect or endangerment. On Monday, he was arrested and booked into the Cheatham County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
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