Tuscaloosa Mother Jailed After Baby Found Dead With Signs Of Abuse, Malnourishment

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A Tuscaloosa woman has been charged with felony child abuse after authorities say her 9-month-old son was found dead Tuesday afternoon with numerous signs of physical abuse and severe malnourishment.

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Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Commander Capt. Jack Kennedy told local media Wednesday morning that emergency responders were called to Aspen Village apartments at approximately 4 p.m. Tuesday after the child's mother, 29-year-old Ja'keisa Knox, called 911 to report that her infant was unresponsive.

Kennedy said the child was transported by ambulance to DCH Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

He then said investigators said medical personnel observed numerous physical injuries on the child.

Authorities also said the infant was extremely underweight and showed signs of malnourishment, prompting the Violent Crimes Unit to launch an investigation.

Kennedy said Knox told investigators she was the child's sole custodian and had left the infant home alone around 8 a.m. while she went to work.

Knox then told police she returned home around 4 p.m. and found the child dead.

Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, authorities charged Knox with felony child abuse.

She was booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail, where she is being held without bond.

The child's body has been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy.

Investigators said additional charges are possible once the autopsy is completed and an official cause and manner of death are determined.

The Violent Crimes Unit said the charges could be upgraded, potentially to include murder, depending on the findings of the forensic examination.

The investigation remains ongoing.

This is a developing story. Tuscaloosa Patch will have more information as it becomes available.