Honk News (Jackson, TN) – A man from West Tennessee faces charges of aggravated child abuse or neglect following the tragic death of a three-year-old in Jackson.
On Friday morning, a 23-year-old named Judon Roberson made a virtual appearance in Jackson City Court, facing Judge Blake Anderson.
Authorities were called to the Villages of Old Hickory apartment complex on Wednesday afternoon following reports of an unresponsive child. A child was taken to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, where he was declared deceased.
A court-obtained warrant reveals that the mother of the child informed investigators that at approximately 7:45 a.m., she entrusted her child to her boyfriend, known as Roberson, while she stepped out to run an errand.
She mentioned that she returned home at approximately 8:50 a.m. and saw her child in his bed, assuming he was just asleep. At approximately 12:30 p.m., the document indicates that she attempted to rouse the child and contacted law enforcement upon realizing he was unresponsive. The document indicates that Roberson was asleep when he was roused by the mother who was contacting law enforcement.
As per the warrant, investigators spoke with Roberson, who explained that the child experienced an accidental bowel movement, prompting him to bath the child. Roberson reported that he had stepped away to answer a phone call, and upon his return, he found the child in a state of “drowning.”
Roberson informed investigators that he removed the child from the tub, dried him with a hair dryer, and then placed him in his bed.
The warrant states that Roberson indicated the child had already drowned before he removed him from the tub. Roberson characterized the child as having a limp body, yet asserted that he was alert, according to the warrant.
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The document additionally indicates that the child sustained injuries to the left side of his neck and the back of his left ear, which the mother claimed were absent when she departed from the residence.
Roberson’s court appearance resulted in a new date set for Wednesday, February 5 at 9:30 a.m. Records indicate that Roberson is presently held at the Madison County Jail.