Pettway accused of beating 4-year old boy to point where child’s liver was damaged
An Atmore man is being held on $500,000 bond on charges of aggravated child abuse for allegedly beating a 4-year old boy to the point it caused damage to the child's liver.
District Judge Eric Coale imposed the $500,000 bond last Thursday on Ronald Dewayne Pettway, 34, 411 McRae St.
Should Pettway get released on bond, he is to have no contact with the victim or anyone under the age of 18. He will also be subject to house arrest.
Aggravated child abuse of a child under the age of 6 is a Class A felony which carries a prison sentence of 10 years to life. Due to the child's age and Pettway's prior criminal convictions, officials in the Escambia County (Ala.) District Attorney's Office said Pettway could be facing a prison sentence of life without the possibility of parole.
Atmore Police Chief Chuck Brooks said his department received a call from the Escambia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office on Dec. 23, 2019, in reference to a female with child at West Florida Hospital, who was being treated for severe injuries.
Information gathered by the Florida deputies showed the injuries occurred in Atmore.
Brooks said the investigation showed Pettway was with the child while the mother was working when the injuries occurred. The investigation allowed Atmore police to get a warrant for Pettway's arrest.
According to court records, Pettway is accused of striking the child with an unknown object, causing contusions over the torso, legs, arms, face and buttocks. The beating also caused impairment to the child's liver.
