How Could You? Hall of Shame-April and John McDowell UPDATE

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Fort Mitchell, Alabama, foster parents April and John McDowell “are both in custody at the Russell County Jail and face charges of Aggravated Child Abuse after their foster child was taken to Piedmont Medical Center by ambulance before being taken to UAB Children’s Hospital for a fractured skull and brain bleed.”

“According to the Sheriff’s Office, April and John McDowell have both been charged after deputies repsonded [sic] to a 911 call in Fort Mitchell, Ala. where a toddler was going in and out of consciousness. The caller, Ms. McDowell, requested an ambulance. Deputies at the hospital determined that the child’s injuries did not match the guardian’s story of what happened.

On Aug. 27, investigators obtained warrants for both McDowells for the charge of Aggravated Child Abuse. Mr. McDowell was arrested on base at Fort Benning by the Military Police’s Criminal Investigation Division, Ms. McDowell was taken into custody from their home in Fort Mitchell.

“Initial medical reports indicate that the child has multiple injuries in different stages of healing that are not consistent with normal injuries to a toddler but are consistent with injuries related to abuse,” according to a statement from the Russell County Sheriff’s Office.

The McDowells have been foster parents since May 2020. Investigators believe they will be able to prove the child has been injured multiple times and on multiple occasions due to abuse while in the care of the McDowells.

Both McDowells were taken into custody without incident. Both are being held at the Russell County Jail. The child is in stable condition.”

Foster parents with father in military charged with Aggravated Child Abuse in Fort Mitchell, now in custody
[WKRG 8/28/2020 by Chuck Williams]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“An Alabama couple was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison after being convicted of abusing their foster child, who suffered a skull fracture and brain bleed, a prosecutor says.

Russell County District Attorney Rick Chancey said the life sentences were handed down against April and John McDowell, both 32, of Fort Mitchell, an unincorporated community about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of Phenix City, al.com reported. The McDowells were convicted in October of aggravated child abuse after a nearly two-week trial.

On Aug. 22, 2022, the McDowells’ then-18-month-old foster daughter required an ambulance after she was “going in and out of consciousness,” April McDowell told a 911 dispatcher. Deputies later determined the child had injuries that were not consistent with the guardian’s story, according to authorities.

Initial medical reports indicated the child had multiple injuries in different stages of healing that were not consistent with normal injuries to a toddler but were consistent with abuse, officials said. The McDowells were taken into custody a short time later and the child was removed from their home.

The McDowells had been foster parents of the toddler since May 2020.

“This child is now with a very loving family, and we appreciate their great support and help in this case,” Chancey told television station WRBL after the October convictions. “Our hopes and prayers are with this child as she grows and puts this chapter of her life behind her.””
Alabama Couple Gets Life for Abusing Foster Child Who Suffered Skull Fracture, Brain Bleed
[US News and World Report 12/19/23 By Associated Press]