Tuscaloosa Investigators Charge Man With Murder Of Infant

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Investigators with the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit have charged a man with murder following the death of an infant who is believed to have been the victim of child abuse.

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Captain Jack Kennedy, commander of the multiagency unit, told local media Thursday afternoon that medical deputies and paramedics were initially called on April 25 to Hallmark Apartments in the 800 block of Garden Parkway on a call of an unresponsive four-month-old infant.

Kennedy went on to say that the child was transported in critical condition to DCH Regional Medical Center and then to Children's Hospital in Birmingham. At Children's, an examination of the infant revealed internal injuries that Kennedy said were consistent with physical abuse.

The day after the child was hospitalized and placed on life support, Jaquon Ladarrion Stewart, 27, was charged with aggravated child abuse and booked into the Tuscaloosa County Jail.

Kennedy explained that Stewart was the live-in boyfriend of the child’s mother but not the biological father.

Kennedy said the child died from their injuries on Wednesday and the charge against Stewart was elevated to felony murder after investigators consulted with the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's Office.

Stewart remains in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond.

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