Sheffield, AL – Ashley Elizabeth Jones, 34, faces charges of aggravated child abuse in Colbert County for allegedly attempting to drown her 10-year-old son in a bathtub. The abuse arose after the child expressed a desire to live with his father instead of his mother.
Jones, a resident of Sheffield, was arrested on Thursday and questioned on Wednesday following the accusations made by her son. The abuse is said to have taken place between April 15 and April 21, with the child being submerged in the bathtub after being doused with bleach.
According to the young victim, the abuse included being bitten and hit by his mother. Authorities claim that the situation escalated when the boy revealed his wish to live with his father, leading Jones to attempt to drown him by holding his face underwater for around 45 seconds during a bath.
The child recounted playing dead to prevent further harm, and upon being saved by his father, reported multiple injuries supposedly caused by his mother. Despite initial reluctance from the father to intervene, the boy eventually disclosed the abuse, leading to the involvement of law enforcement.
Reportedly, Jones initially agreed to discuss the allegations but failed to attend the meeting with authorities, which led to a search alert being issued. She denied all accusations made by her son but was later arrested, charged, and briefly detained in Colbert County Jail on a $50,000 bond that she posted the same day.
The defendant is scheduled to appear in court on May 20, awaiting further legal proceedings related to the case.