Man in custody on child abuse charge after death of 3-year-old
UPDATE: A GoFundMe has been organized to support the family’s expenses. Click here to learn more.
JACKSON, Tenn. — A West Tennessee man is charged with aggravated child abuse or neglect after the death of a three-year-old in Jackson.
Friday morning, 23-year-old Judon Roberson appeared virtually in Jackson City Court before Judge Blake Anderson.
This comes after Jackson Police responded to the Villages of Old Hickory apartment complex Wednesday afternoon after reports of an unresponsive child. The child was transported to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
(January 22, 2025)
According to a warrant obtained in court, the child’s mother told investigators that around 7:45 a.m., she left the child in the care of her boyfriend, identified as Roberson, while she ran an errand.
She stated that she arrived back home around 8:50 a.m. and noticed her child in his bed, and thought he was asleep. Around 12:30 p.m., the warrant states that she tried to wake the child, and called the police when she discovered he was unresponsive. The warrant says Roberson had gone to sleep, but was awakened by the mother as she called the police.
According to the warrant, investigators interviewed Roberson, who told them the child had an accidental bowel movement, so he gave the child a bath. Roberson advised that he stepped away to take a phone call, and when he returned, the child was “drowning.”
Roberson told investigators that he took the child out of the tub and dried him off with a hair dryer, before placing him in his bed.
According to the warrant, Roberson also advised that child had already drowned by the time he took him out of the tub. Roberson described the child as having a limp body but claimed he was alert, the warrant states.
The warrant also states that the child had injuries to the left side of his neck and back of his left ear, which the mother told police were not there when she left the home.
During Roberson’s court appearance, a date was reset for Wednesday, February 5 at 9:30 a.m.
According to records available online, Roberson currently remains in custody at the Madison County Jail.
SEE ALSO: Police investigate death of 3-year-old in Jackson (1/22/25)
