On September 10th, David Mark Baker Sr., a pastor from Maury County and a former candidate for the position of county mayor, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated sexual battery. Baker, who established the Restoration Jail Ministry in the area, previously served as the pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church. In a notable financial move back in 2011, he filed for bankruptcy on behalf of the church, with “Dave Baker” listed as the signatory to facilitate the restructuring of its debts.
Following his arrest, Baker was released on a bond set at $200,000 and was slated to appear in court on October 9th. However, the situation took a tragic turn the very next day. On September 11th, Baker entered a restroom at Maury Regional Medical Center, where he ultimately took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency Department personnel, along with officers from the Columbia Police Department, responded swiftly to the scene in an effort to ensure the safety of those in the vicinity and to provide life-saving measures for Baker. Despite their efforts, he did not survive his injuries.
Authorities from the Maury County Sheriff’s Department have confirmed that the investigation into the circumstances surrounding this case remains ongoing.