Ryan Anthony Allen – Colbert County Sheriff’s Office
TUSCUMBIA – Ryan Anthony Allen, 21-years old, is being held at Colbert County jail on suspicion of aggravated child abuse. His alleged victim, 2-month old baby is on life support at UAB Hospital in Birmingham.
Saturday, police were called to a Dickson Street residence in response to a 911 call. It is unclear from where the call originated. When the arrived at the dwelling, shared by Allen, his girlfriend, 21-year old Shenoah Pounders, and 2 children, the infant, and a 3-year old who are the children of Pounders. When police arrived, they found the baby unresponsive. He was under the care of paramedics who transported him to Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield. A short while later, neonatal specialists from UAB were flown in to evaluate and stabilize the baby. He was immediately flown back to Birmingham because of the severity of his injuries.
According to media reports, the infant is presently on a ventilator in the Children’s Intensive Care Unit.
Tuscumbia Police report that Allen, initially told them that the baby’s brother had been jumping on the sofa and accidentally landed on the infant, causing the injuries. However, they say that when he was challenged by the officers as to his story, he came clean with them. Allen, allegedly told the officers that he had been trying to sleep, and was being aggravated by the baby’s crying in the room. He said he spanked the baby to get it to shut up.
If convicted of Aggravated Child Abuse, a Class-B felony, Allen could spend up to 20-years in prison. He is presently being held on $25,000 bond.
