Boy, 1, fighting for life after ‘sexual torture by mum’s paedo boyfriend’
A 16-MONTH-OLD boy is fighting for his life after allegedly suffering sexual torture at the hands of a man thought to be his mum's boyfriend.
Shawn Wesley Averett, 33, was arrested and charged after the child was taken to hospital with severe head injuries in Alabama.
The Jemison Police Department said in a statement: "Investigators were notified by Shelby Hospital .... and were able to obtain enough evidence to charge Averett."
Averett was arrested on July 18 and charged with aggravated child abuse and sexual torture of the boy.
The boy's mother set up a Gofundme page, writing: "My 16-month-old son was severely injured and is in critical condition.
"They have him in a medically induced coma ... He has swelling and bleeding to his brain."
The grieving mum went on to explain her son was "paralyzed and sedated".
"He does have a lot of brain damage, there’s still fluid coming out ... They are doing everything they can to keep the swelling down," she said.
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She posted a picture of the little boy in hospital alongside the caption: "He has tubes and wires running from his little head to his toes.
"When I finally got to hold his hand he did try to wiggle his fingers even being paralyzed, which lets me know he knew I was there."
The investigation is ongoing and will continue for quite some time, police have said.
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