The pastor of a Hendersonville man, who claims he killed his daughter, has asked for prayers.
11-year-old Timea Batts died Monday. Her father, Timothy Batts is behind bars in Sumner County Jail on a one million dollar bond.
Long Hollow Baptist Church Pastor Adam French said Batts is a devoted father, who was focused on making a better life for his family.
Batts has three daughters and a son.
"He had a lot of plans for them," French said. "To be the first to go to college and that was his dream to raise his kids up in the admiration of the lord."
Court papers showed Batts first lied to police. He said his daughter was shot after getting off the bus. He later confessed. He said he wanted to tell the truth.
Batts is no stranger to the law. In 2012, he turned himself in on an attempted criminal homicide warrant in Metro Davidson County.
French said Batt gave his life to Christ two and half months ago.
He said it was just one of the many steps he had taken to turn his life around.
"If you knew Tim and you knew his heart and you knew how much he loved his kids you would understand that this was something that was not reflective of his past," French said.
French said he recently spoke with Batts in jail.
"He would want the world to know he's going to live with this decision for the rest of his life," French said. "He's hurting and he needs your prayers."
Batts is expected in court later this month. Funeral arraignments are pending for Timea Batts.
