MAY 2010 PRESS RELEASE

May 7, 2010

On May 2nd, 2010, Alabama Social Workers notified the Covington County Sheriff's Office that they had received a report of child abuse from hospital personnel at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida. Sheriff's Investigators and local DHR Social Workers have investigated this case together. Social workers immediately established a "safety plan" with the family of the victim until the case could be investigated and an arrest made. The family has cooperated fully during the investigation. The victim suffered at least eight fractures to her bones, including fractures to her ribs and legs. The fractures were in different stages of healing, indicating the fractures had occurred at different times since the birth of the infant. She has also suffered at least one brain bleed and significant bruising to her face. Sacred Heart medical personnel diagnosed the victim as having injuries consistent with "shaken baby syndrome." The victim at the time of diagnosis was a seven week old infant. She has been released from the hospital and is at home with her family. She is doing well but will require regular follow up visits to ensure her continued health treatment. After the main portion of the investigation, it was determined that the father of the victim, Jeremy Edward Gibson, had caused her injuries. Jeremy Edward Gibson, 24, of Andalusia, confessed that he had committed acts that caused the victims injuries. Jeremy Edward Gibson turned himself in to the Sheriff's Office on Friday, May 7th, 2010. He is charged with one count of Aggravated Child Abuse, a Class B Felony. Investigators Wesley Snodgrass and Howard West have been in conference with the District Attorney's Office through out this case. Due to the graphic extent of injuries and the age of the victim, Gibson faces the charge of Aggravated Child Abuse. Aggravated Child Abuse encompasses multiple counts of the lesser included offenses of Torture and Willful Abuse of a Child Under 18 years of Age. Gibson's bond has been set at $1,000,000.00. Gibson was an Alabama probationer for a property crime conviction. He faces an additional charge of Violation of Probation which has no bond. Gibson is currently being held in the Covington County Jail. "Child crimes can be the most difficult cases to investigate. Often times, there are no witnesses to the abuse. A child, especially an infant, is defenseless and innocent. We will continue to investigate crimes against children and seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law, those who would harm or victimize children in our community," said Sheriff Dennis Meeks.

                                         JEREMY EDWARD GIBSON