An Alabama mother has been arrested after her 9-month-old son died after leaving him alone for hours on her way to work.
Ja’ Keisa Knox He was arrested on Tuesday, June 30, and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
On the same day as her arrest, Knox, 29, called police at 4:00 p.m. to report that she found her child unresponsive, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Us Weekly. The police investigated the situation and found that Knox had just returned from work when he called, and it is suspected that he left the child alone for several hours.
Knox reportedly told deputies she left her apartment around 8 a.m., leading police to believe the child had been home alone for 8 hours. The police added that Knox confirmed that he was the sole caretaker of the child and that he had not arranged for anyone to take care of him while he was gone.
“He said he tried to ask the family to go check on the child. That is still under investigation,” said the captain of the Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit. Jack Kennedy he told WBRC.
The medical staff who treated the child reported that he had multiple injuries, was very low in weight, and showed signs of malnutrition. Those findings prompted VCU to be called in to investigate.
After police were called to the home, the infant was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center and later pronounced dead, according to the Tuscaloosa News.
Medical personnel told police that the boy had multiple injuries when he was admitted to the hospital, was malnourished and underweight. Authorities then called in the police’s violent crime unit, which is involved in the investigation into the infant’s death.
Knox was arrested and charged with child abuse. However, authorities said he may be charged again once authorities learn more about the child’s death from the results of an autopsy.
“Based on the injuries and signs of malnutrition, and the fact that the mother often worked and left her child alone at home, after contacting the District Attorney’s office, we believe we have probable cause for child abuse,” Kennedy said.
He is currently being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond, and it is not known when he is expected to appear in court in connection with the case.
It is not yet clear whether Knox filed a plea or qualified for a lawyer after his arrest. The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office had no further updates to share on the story when contacted by Us.
If you or someone you know is being abused by children, call or text the Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
