Children are a gift of God. At times they become the victim of abuse. Child abuse is very serious crime and does happen in many places. It is our duty to protect the children and keep them safe from any kind of abuse.
Michael Coghill, an Oklahoma City preacher, was caught on camera caressing a 9-year-old kid improperly at a bus stop. The boy’s father approached him and left him with a broken skull and a bloodied mugshot.
According to the little child, the 33-year-old jogges near the bus stop frequently and has stopped by multiple times. He had made inappropriate physical contact with the 9-year-old. The youngster informed his parents about the event, and then the next day his father accompanied him to the bus stop. The father sat in the car, waiting for Coghill to show up, which he did.
When Coghill noticed the youngster walking to the bus stop, he paused his jogging and approached him. “Our suspect rushed by him, past the bus stop where the children were waiting, as he was watching the school bus stop. He turned around, returned, and came to a halt where he had touched the youngster” Oklahoma City Police Department Sgt. Dillon Quirk said.
Witness Lisa Ward stated of the event, “There are hardly any words that are camera suitable.” Ward expressed it was disgusting as he knew the time the boy would be there. “That was the most difficult and revolting part.” The father videotaped the event in which Coghill was observed inappropriately handling the youngster and then proceeded to assault Coghill, whose skull was shattered. On the left side of his face, his orbital socket fractured. Ward stated, “He was all bleeding in the cop car.”
Coghill is the pastor of Lakehoma Church of Christ, which released the statement below. “We were shocked to learn of the situation involving one of our adult clergy, and our hearts break for the boy and his family. We were taken aback by this news, given he had a spotless background check and no reports or allegations against him throughout his time with us. The church’s leadership has zero tolerance for abuse and will meet tonight to determine the next steps. As appropriate, we will work with authorities”.
On a charge of obscene actions toward a kid, he is presently being detained at the Oklahoma County Detention Center. Anyone with knowledge is urged to contact the police. “If there are other victims, we encourage them to come forward if they have information. Quirk said, “Come ahead.”
For Coghill, a prayer vigil is being planned. Coghill worked with the teenagers at Choctaw Church of Christ for five years before becoming a preacher at Lakehoma Church of Christ in Mustang. “Knowing his reputation and his work here, no way, how could this happen?” Choctaw Church of Christ pastor Marti Kessler felt it was some kind of a joke. He couldn’t believe it and thought the photo had been tampered. The congregation has gathered to pray for Coghill and his family. “My hope is that there will be something, some type of proof, that will show Mike’s innocence in the end,” he said.
