On April 25, 2024, a 4-month-old infant identified in court records as "EH" was found unresponsive at Hallmark Apartments on Garden Parkway in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. The child was rushed to DCH Regional Medical Center and later transferred to Children's of Alabama in Birmingham, where examinations revealed life-threatening internal injuries consistent with abuse, specifically abusive head trauma. The infant was placed on life support. The following day, Jaquon Ladarrion Stewart, 27, the live-in boyfriend of the infant's mother and not the biological father, was arrested and charged with aggravated child abuse. The child died on May 15, 2024, and Stewart's charges were upgraded to felony murder. Stewart has remained in the Tuscaloosa County Jail since his initial arrest on April 26.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Multiple sources describe internal injuries consistent with abuse. The al.com article states that charging documents said Stewart "caused abusive head trauma" to the infant. The WBRC article notes "a 4-month old infant suffered internal injuries consistent with abuse." The WVTM13 article describes "life-threatening internal injuries" consistent with abuse.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
The al.com article explicitly states: "Charging documents against Stewart said he 'caused abusive head trauma' to the infant, who was identified in court records only as 'EH.'"
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
All four sources identify the perpetrator, Jaquon Ladarrion Stewart, as "the live-in boyfriend of the infant's mother" and explicitly note he is "not the baby's biological father." The WBRC article states: "Capt. Jack Kennedy says Stewart is not the baby's biological father, but he is the live-in boyfriend of the baby's mother." He was charged with felony murder in connection with the child's death.
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
All sources confirm that Jaquon Ladarrion Stewart, 27, was arrested and charged. The WBRC article states: "A 27-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the death of an infant." He was initially charged with aggravated child abuse and the charge was upgraded to felony murder after the child's death. The al.com article notes: "Authorities on Thursday issued a felony murder warrant for Stewart. Stewart has been in the Tuscaloosa County Jail since April 26, and remains held."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
These fields were populated by an AI model and may contain inaccuracies. Review the links and PDFs provided for verification before citing. Contact [email protected] to report any inaccuracies where corrections are needed.