Mother is charged with abuse of child

RUSSELLVILLE — A Franklin County grand jury late last month issued an indictment charging a Red Bay mother with aggravated child abuse.

Caitlin Elizabeth Miles, 25, was arrested and charged with child abuse (torture) on Jan. 28 by Red Bay Police after a family member contacted police saying Miles left her 9-month-old child alone in their home for several hours, according to Police Chief Janna Jackson.

Members of the Franklin County Department of Human Resources also were contacted about the case, and the child was removed from the home and placed with another family member, Jackson said.

Miles was booked into the Franklin County Jail and released on Jan. 31 on a $3,000 bond, according to court records.

The case was presented to a grand jury in late November, and it returned the one-count indictment.

Miles’ arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2026.

Aggravated child abuse of someone under the age of 6 years old is a Class A felony, according to the Code of Alabama. If convicted, Miles could be sentenced to life in prison or no less than 10 years in prison.