COLUMBIA (TN)
Columbia Daily Herald [Columbia, TN]
September 16, 2024
By Kerri Bartlett
Note: This story discusses self-harm. If at risk, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for support at 1-800-273-8255 or text the Suicide and Crisis Line at 988 to connect with help.
A case involving an aggravated sexual battery charge of a minor against long-time Columbia pastor David M. Baker, 57, has been abated due to the pastor’s death on Sept. 11.
Baker died by apparent suicide just a day after he was arrested and charged by the Maury County Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 10. An arrest affidavit obtained from Mt. Pleasant General Sessions Court shows Baker was charged with aggravated sexual battery involving a minor family member between the estimated timeframe of Dec. 9, 2013 and Dec. 9, 2015.
Mt. Pleasant General Sessions Judge J. Lee Bailey, III dismissed the case on Sept. 13 due to the death of Baker.
More:Columbia pastor dies of apparent suicide a day after sexual battery charge
A Santa Fe native, Baker was the father of 11 children and Columbia pastor of 35 years with his most recent church being Family Baptist Church, where he served as lead pastor. Before becoming a pastor, he served in the U.S. Army Airborne Division.
More:Maury mayoral candidate David Baker outlines platform, responds to controversy
More:Past Lighthouse Baptist member supports sexual assault victim, denounces Baker’s response
After Baker made $200,000 bond at 3:13 a.m. Sept. 11, just over nine hours later, he entered the emergency room of Maury Regional Medical Center, walked to the bathroom and was soon found deceased in the bathroom at approximately 12:45 p.m. by apparent suicide.
The hospital was put on temporary lockdown, according to a Sept. 11 press statement by Maury Regional Medical Center.
“The ED staff initiated life-saving medical treatment; however, he succumbed to his injuries. No other individuals were present in the restroom at the time and no patients or staff members were harmed,” the statement said.