Two Arrested With Infant After Running From Authorities In Pickens County Drug Investigation

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Two people have been charged after the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office located a three-week-old infant being carried through a wooded area while investigating reports of drug activity.

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Pickens County Sheriff Jordan Powell said Tuesday that deputies responded earlier in the day to the 7000 block of Watermill Road along with the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) after receiving a report of an infant inside a home where drug use was occurring and where there was no power or running water.

Deputies attempted multiple times to make contact with occupants at the residence after they arrived but received no response.

Acting under a court order, Powell said deputies entered the home and discovered an open door at the rear of the residence.

Deputies and DHR officials then began searching the surrounding area on foot and located two individuals walking through nearby woods in what appeared to be an attempt to avoid contact with law enforcement.

The individuals were identified as 22-year-old Katelyn Brown and 23-year-old Christopher Shaw.

They were found carrying the three-week-old child through the wooded area and taken into custody.

During the encounter, deputies recovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Both were charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child.

Their bonds have not been set at this time, according to Pickens County Jail records.

The infant was taken into DHR custody and transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

The condition of the child has not been released.

“I commend our deputies for their diligence and commitment in locating the individuals and ensuring the safety of this child,” Powell said. “This incident is just one example of the hard work our men and women perform each and every day in some of the most difficult situations.”

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