Toddler Tortured And Abused, Shelby County Man Arrested

CHILTON COUNTY, AL — A 16-month-old child has been hospitalized with severe body and brain injuries after sustaining what authorities describe as severe abuse. A Shelby County man has been arrested in connection with the abuse.

The toddler is in critical condition with swelling and bleeding to his brain. Jemison police this week announced they had arrested 33-year-old Shaw Wesley Averett in connection with the boy’s injuries.

An Alabama Media Group report said Averett was arrested July 18 on the felony charges of aggravated child abuse and sexual torture. The warrants and other charging documents against Averett have not been uploaded to the online court system but authorities said the boy suffered severe head trauma, as well as genital and anal tearing.

Averett was released from the Chilton County Jail on July 19 after posting $90,000 bond. He has a court date set for Aug. 15.

The Jemison Police Department launched its investigation after being notified by Shelby County Baptist Medical Center that the boy was hospitalized with head injuries.