Tuscumbia man charged with attempted murder of a child

By Staff
Melissa Cason
A Tuscumbia man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly shaking his girlfriend's young child.
Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said Richard Edward Agee, Jr., 23, of 275 Willingham Hill Road in Tuscumbia, was arrested Wednesday on attempted murder charges.
"Officers received a call where a child was unresponsive on Sept. 22," Hargett said.
The child was not breathing when officers and emergency medical personnel arrived on the scene. The child was first taken to Russellville, then to Huntsville, and later transported to Birmingham.
"It was determined by the doctors that the injuries are consistent with violent shaking," Hargett said.
"We consulted with the district attorney's office and were able to secure an arrest warrant for Mr. Agee."
Hargett said Agee was the only person with the child at the time the injuries occurred. The child's mother was at work at the time of incident.
District Attorney Joey Rushing said his office sees the case as a top priority.
"Because of the severity of the crime, the Russellville Police Department did a thorough investigation before making an arrest," Rushing said. "This case will be a priority in my office."
Under the Alabama Criminal Code, attempted murder is a Class A felony, which carries a sentence of 10 years to life in prison upon conviction. It is not known whether the state will be seeking a life sentence in this case.
Agee is being held in the Franklin County Detention Center without bond.