Baby dies after mother left him home alone for 8 hours while she went to work, authorities say
The baby’s mother, 29-year-old Ja’keisa Knox, is facing a felony child abuse charge.
According to investigators, Knox called 911 around 4 p.m. Tuesday after returning to her apartment and finding her child unresponsive.
He was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Authorities said Knox told investigators she was the child’s sole caregiver and had left him home alone around 8 a.m. while she went to work, before returning around 4 p.m.
Medical personnel who treated the child reported he had numerous physical injuries, was extremely underweight and showed signs of malnourishment. Those findings prompted a call to the Violent Crimes Unit to investigate.
Investigators said additional charges are possible, pending the results of an autopsy by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Once the official cause and manner of death are determined, authorities said Knox’s charge could be upgraded.
Knox is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail without bond.
