Arrest Made In Assault Of Elderly Woman In Fairfield

JEFFERSON COUNTY, AL — A 39-year-old man has been arrested after the reported assault of a 61-year-old woman in Fairfield Thursday. James Michael Bell was arrested by Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, attempting to elude, disorderly conduct and failure to possess felon registration card.

Sgt. Joni Money of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said the incident occurred Thursday around 4 p.m. Money said a patrol deputy driving on Gary Avenue near Valley Road in Fairfield observed a man beating a woman in the parking lot of a convenience store.

As the deputy approached, he observed that the woman was unconscious and the man, later identified as Bell, was stomping on her face, head and stomach, Money said. Bell reportedly saw the deputy approaching and despite being tased, jumped into a car and fled the scene.

Money said the deputy and witnesses gave medical attention to the woman until paramedics arrived. Patrol deputies located the vehicle and saw Bell nearby walking away and were able to subdue him and take him into custody.

Bell is being held at Jefferson County Jail on $9,200 bond.