Missing Grade-School Girl’s Body Found In School Coach’s Home

The coach has been jailed on suspicion of murder of the 10-year-old girl.

A body believed to be that of Hailey Owens was found Wednesday at a Springfield home owned by the suspect, Police Chief Paul Williams said at a news conference. Official confirmation won’t occur until after an autopsy, but the chief said police “have a high degree of confidence” in the preliminary identification.

Police say Craig Michael Wood, 45, is jailed on suspicion of first-degree murder but formal charges have not been filed. The Greene County prosecutor is reviewing the case.

Hailey was walking to a friend’s home in Springfield just before 5 p.m. Tuesday. Witnesses told investigators that a man in a gold, 2008 Ford Ranger drove down the street several times before abducting the child.

Wood was arrested late Tuesday inside a vehicle parked outside his small single-story home.

By: Cheston Catalano

Cheston Catalano is a Kentucky-based journalist whose work has been featured in the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. He is a long-time contributor to Liberaland.