Alabama man arrested for adopted child’s attempted murder

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. (TCD) -- A 42-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with the alleged attempted murder of his adopted daughter.

According to the Birmingham Real-Time News, Bartley Blakely was charged just a couple of months after his wife, Kala Blakely, a nurse practitioner, was indicted on similar charges.

According to records obtained by the Birmingham Real-Time News, Kala allegedly attempted to kill her adopted daughter through medical neglect and/or strangulation and/or starvation and/or beating her.

The investigation reportedly began when the victim was brought to a hospital in January 2021. The Birmingham Real-Time News reports that the victim was released from the hospital and brought back to Kala, and she was instructed on how to care for her adopted daughter. She reportedly refused to follow those orders.

According to the Birmingham Real-Time News, the 12-year-old Spanish-speaking child showed signs of neglect and physical abuse, including significant weight loss, bruises, scratches, and lacerations on her spine and all over her body.

The Birmingham-Real Time News reports that the victim had been living with the Blakelys for several months.

Kala Blakely was indicted in October for aggravated child abuse and attempted murder.

Trussville Police Lieutenant Clint Riner told the Trussville Tribune that the case against Bartley Blakely "was taken through Jefferson County grand jury, and there was enough probable cause to issue the warrant to him as well."

In a statement to the Trussville Tribune, Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush said, "The details of this investigation are very disturbing to me. Our detectives took this case and did an excellent job in protecting this child from further abuse."

Jail records show Bartley was booked into and released from Jefferson County Jail on $150,000 bond Friday, Dec. 10. Kala was booked into Jefferson County Jail on Oct. 22 on $60,000 bond and released Oct. 25, jail records show.

Kala reportedly has three other children with Bartley.

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