by Scott Buttram
TRUSSVILLE — A months-long investigation has led to the arrest of a Trussville woman, according to a police report and jail records.
Kala Kameron Blakely, 39, of Trussville, was charged with aggravated child abuse of a non-family member. Blakely was taken into custody at 5 p.m. and booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 12 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. She is being held without bond.
Blakely was arrested following a grand jury indictment, according to Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush.
“This investigation began months ago and it was an exhaustive investigation that involved interviewing multiple witnesses and medical professionals,” Rush said. “Our investigators turned the information over to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office and they took the case to the grand jury.”
The Trussville Police Department began an investigation into a possible child neglect case on Jan. 21, 2021, after being contacted by Jefferson County DHR.
Investigators received information that a 12-year-old Spanish-speaking child may be the victim of neglect, at the hands of her adoptive mother, according to a statement released by the Trussville Police Department.
After a joint investigation involving the Trussville Police Department, DHR, Prescott House and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, it was determined that the child showed signs of physical abuse as well as neglect, police said.
According to Trussville police, the child was originally admitted into Children’s of Alabama and upon release, investigators found the adoptive mother refused to follow doctor’s orders, according to a statement from TPD. The child also suffered bruises, scratches and lacerations on her spine, legs, arms, and feet, and had lost a significant amount of weight.
“The details of this investigation are very disturbing to me,” Rush said. “Our detectives took this case and did an excellent job in protecting this child from further abuse.”
Blakely is a UAB Assistant Professor, DNP, CRNP, NP-C, is a two-time alumna of UAB School of Nursing and board certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, specializing in adult primary care, according to the school website. She operates Hometown Family Medicine in Moody.
Grand Jury indictments remain under seal until the indicted party is charged. Public records do not indicate an attorney representing Blakely that could be reached for comment.