By Staff
A Hartselle man is charged with child abuse after allegedly injuring his seven-week-old son.
Sheriff Greg Bartlett said deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call at 1640 Highway 36 East in Hartselle on May 11. At the scene, Joseph Nathaniel Chatman, 24, was arrested on domestic violence in the third degree charges after witnesses reported he had shoved his common-in-law wife Debra Woodall. Witnesses also said Chatman threw his son to another person. The infant was evaluated by responding EMTs who transported the infant to Decatur General Hospital for treatment of suspicious injuries. Investigators were called to the hospital, where it was learned the infant had sustained multiple fractures to his skull, ribcage, arms and legs and bruising to the body.
The infant was flown to Huntsville Hospital and was admitted to their Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for ongoing evaluation and care.
Aggravated child abuse was later added to Chatman’s charges. He was taken to the Morgan County Jail on $200,000 bond.