AUBURN, Ala. (EETV)- On Friday Auburn Police arrested Fredricus Rydell Johnson on a felony warrant charging him with aggravated child abuse.
Law Enforcement was notified after the two-year-old victim was taken to a hospital in Columbus, Georgia, and subsequently airlifted to Children's Hospital in Birmingham for treatment of injuries. Medical professionals considered her injuries to be suspicious and consistent with abuse.
An investigation confirmed the cause of the victim's injuries to be intentional. Johnson, who resides at the residence with the child's mother in the 1100 block of Northwood Drive in Auburn, was developed as a suspect. He was the sole caregiver for the victim during the time of the injury. He was located during a search of the residence, taken into custody and later charged with aggravated child abuse.
The victim remains in critical condition at Children's Hospital in Birmingham, and the case remains under investigation by Auburn Police and the Lee County Department of Human Resources. Johnson was transported to the Lee County Detention Facility where his bond was set at $30,000. However, he is being held without bond pending a 48/72 hour hearing.
