Tuscaloosa Parents Charged With Murder After Infant Dies

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A mother and father from Tuscaloosa have been charged with murder following the death of their baby boy.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, said at approximately 7 p.m. Monday, an unresponsive male infant was brought to DCH Regional Medical Center.

"The infant was transferred to Childrens Hospital, where it was determined that it had extensive injuries, including multiple skull fractures," Kennedy told local media on Thursday.

He then said the parents — Jameela Biggs, 23, and Antonio Martin, 36 — were interviewed but unable to provide a plausible explanation for the injuries.

However, Kennedy said the couple admitted that they were the only adults that had contact with the child during the time frame that the injuries occurred. The incident in question, he said, occurred in the 4900 block of 2nd Street East.

" A medical expert examined the child extensively over the next day and reported that the injuries were consistent with intentional physical abuse," Kennedy said. "The infant was placed on life support at that time."

Kennedy said Biggs and Martin were arrested Tuesday and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail on charges of aggravated child abuse.

However, the infant boy died of his injuries on Thursday, which prompted investigators to elevate the charges against his parents to murder, following consultation with the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's Office.

Kennedy said both parents remained behind bars as of the publication of this story.

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