Lee County man arrested for child abuse

A Smiths, Ala. man was arrested this morning and charged with aggravated child abuse according to a Lee County Sheriff's Office release.

The Lee County Department of Human Resources reported to the Lee County Sheriff's Office in June 29 an incident of possible child abuse which allegedly occurred at an address on Lee Road 2008 in Smiths.

According to the report, a three week old baby girl had been taken to Doctors Hospital in Columbus by her parents who were concerned that the child was not eating. Tests determined the baby was suffering from intracranial hemorrhage. She was transferred to Columbus Regional for further treatment.

This morning at 9 a.m., CST, the child's father, Joseph A. Depalma, 22, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff's Office. He was charged with aggravated child abuse, a class B felony, and is currently being held in the Lee County Detention Facility on a $30,000 bond.

The child has been released from the hospital and is currently in the care of the mother.