After an extensive investigation, Jacqueline Adams was taken into custody Jan. 6 by the U.S. Marshal Service in Gardendale, the Calera Police Department said in a Jan. 7 news release.
The Shelby County Coroner identified the teen as Ledarius Johnson, who died Aug. 8, WBRC reported.
According to court documents, Adams abused the teen multiple times in July and August at the family’s home in Calera, leading to his death, WVMT reported.
Details about the abuse or the familial connection between Adams and the teen have not been made public.
“Protecting the most vulnerable members of society is a crucial responsibility,” Caldera Police Chief David Hyche said in the release. “Children, the elderly, and individuals with special needs often lack the means to defend themselves, making them particularly susceptible to exploitation and harm.”
Adams faces charges of aggravated child abuse and felony murder, police said.
Gardendale is about a 10-mile drive north from Birmingham.
If you suspect a child has experienced, is currently experiencing, or is at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect, your first step should be to contact the appropriate agency. The Child Welfare Information Gateway has a list of state agencies you can contact. Find help specific to your area here.
For additional help, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline has professional crisis counselors available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in over 170 languages. All calls are confidential. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. You can call or text 1-800-422-4453.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please call 911 for help.
Natalie Demaree is a service journalism reporter covering Mississippi for McClatchy Media. She holds a master’s in journalism from Columbia Journalism School and a bachelor’s in journalism and political science with a specialization in African and African American Studies from the University of Arkansas.
