19-YEAR-OLD MOM CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE, ATTEMPTED MURDER

The mother of a 4-month-old is behind bars after police say the baby was seriously abused for several weeks.

Shaikeyia Peenekia Allen, 19, of Tuscaloosa was arrested on charges of aggravated child abuse and attempted murder this morning.

The arrest comes after a three-month investigation by the Tuscaloosa Police Department’s Juvenile Division into injuries the 4-month-old sustained over several weeks.

The victim was first treated by DCH Regional Medical Center, and was later transported to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. Investigators said the infant has been treated for a fractured skull, broken ribs, multiple bite and pinch marks and was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome.

Physicians at Children’s Hospital said they believe the infant will be developmentally delayed in high motor skills and could suffer possible vision loss. The infant is in the custody of the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

Allen is being held in the Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $60,000 bond.