Former Lauderdale County corrections officer charged with child abuse

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, AL (WAFF) - A former Lauderdale County corrections officer was arrested on child abuse charges.

Court documents show that Benjamin Harold Burns was indicted on one count of child abuse. He was arrested on Monday and appeared in court on Tuesday. The indictment states that he is accused of torturing and hitting the child in the groin area with his hand or fist.

Sheriff Rick Singleton said Burns worked as a correctional deputy for three months earlier in 2018, but he was dismissed. He would not comment on why he was let go.

Burns reportedly spent the night in an isolated cell since he worked in the jail before. He has since been released from jail on a $5,000 bond. His arraignment is set for Aug. 22.

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