Panama City Man Sentenced to Two Life Terms for Repeated Sexual Abuse of Child

Panama City , FL (BuzzReport)— A Bay County man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of repeatedly sexually abusing a young child over the course of several years, according to prosecutors.

State Attorney Larry Basford announced that Christopher Adam Coatney was sentenced Friday to two life sentences after a jury found him guilty on two counts of Sexual Battery on a Child Under the Age of 12.

Circuit Court Judge Brantley Clark handed down the sentence following testimony detailing what prosecutors described as a prolonged and horrifying pattern of abuse that began after Hurricane Michael devastated the Florida Panhandle in 2018.

During the trial, prosecutor Frank Sullivan told jurors the defendant repeatedly terrorized and manipulated the child victim, who was only 10 years old when the abuse allegedly began. Prosecutors said the defendant used violence, intimidation, fear, and drugs to maintain control over the victim and prevent her from speaking out.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, this man repeatedly sexually abused the victim,” Sullivan told the jury. “This defendant used force, the threat of violence, fear, and drugs to repeatedly victimize this little girl.”

According to evidence presented during the trial, Coatney threatened to harm the child if she ever disclosed the abuse to anyone. Prosecutors also revealed disturbing testimony that the defendant forced the victim to consume a methamphetamine-laced drink prior to some of the assaults.

Authorities said the abuse continued throughout 2018 and into 2019. The crimes eventually came to light in 2021 when the victim was staying at another shelter for children and disclosed the abuse to staff members. An advocate immediately contacted the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center, which assisted in the investigation.

Following the verdict, Sullivan described the case as one of the most disturbing child abuse prosecutions handled by his office.

“This is a horrific case of abuse,” Sullivan said after the trial. “This child had to experience what no child should ever have to go through. But with this verdict, she can begin to heal and move forward with her life.”

The sentencing closes a years-long case that prosecutors say exposed the devastating tragedy.