FOLEY, Ala. — A 29-year-old Foley man charged with sexual abuse of a child under 12 is being held in the Baldwin County Jail after an investigation by the Foley Police Department, police said Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.
Detectives arrested Collin James Nelson of Foley on Wednesday, according to a news release from the department. Police said the arrest followed an investigation into an incident that was reported to officers on Monday, Oct. 19, and that involved a child younger than 12. The child was known to Nelson, police said.
Nelson was taken to the Baldwin County Jail after his arrest. A charge is an accusation, not a finding of guilt. Nelson is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
What Foley police have released
The Foley Police Department has released only limited information about the case, and it has said that will not change for now. In its statement, the department said it “remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.”
“Because this case involves a young minor, no further details regarding the victim or the specific facts of the investigation will be released at this time,” police said.
Based on the department’s announcement, the key points known so far are:
- Who: Collin James Nelson, 29, of Foley.
- Charge: Sexual abuse of a child under 12.
- When the incident was reported: Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.
- When the arrest was made: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, by Foley Police Department detectives.
- Relationship: Police said the child was known to Nelson.
- Custody: Held in the Baldwin County Jail.
Police did not say whether bond has been set, when Nelson is scheduled to appear in court or whether he has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
South AL News does not identify children or other people who are reported to be victims of sexual abuse, and this story does not include details that could identify the child.
About the charge
Under Alabama law, sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old applies when a person who is 16 or older is accused of subjecting a child younger than 12 to sexual contact. It is a Class B felony in Alabama, a classification that carries a potential prison sentence of two to 20 years upon conviction. Alabama law also includes additional requirements for people convicted of sex offenses involving children, including registration and residency and employment restrictions under the state’s sex offender laws.
The charge reflects the accusation police have made. Whether the allegation can be proven is a question for the courts.
How the case moves through the courts
Felony cases in Alabama typically move through several stages before they are resolved. After an arrest, a defendant goes before a judge for an initial appearance, where the charge is reviewed and the conditions of release, including bond, are addressed. In Baldwin County, cases involving felony charges generally begin in district court.
A defendant may request a preliminary hearing in district court, at which a judge decides whether there is probable cause to send the case to a grand jury. The grand jury, a panel of citizens who hear evidence presented by prosecutors in a closed session, then decides whether to return an indictment. If an indictment is returned, the case moves to Baldwin County Circuit Court, where the defendant is arraigned and enters a plea. The case can then be resolved through a trial, a plea agreement or a dismissal.
Felony cases arising from arrests in Baldwin County are prosecuted by the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office.
Where children and families can find help
Cases like this one often involve support services for children and families as an investigation moves forward. In Baldwin County, the Child Advocacy Center works with law enforcement, prosecutors and the Alabama Department of Human Resources to provide forensic interviews, counseling and support for children who may have been abused and for their families. Child advocacy centers are designed so that a child can speak with trained professionals in one child-friendly setting rather than repeating their account to several agencies.
Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected can report it:
- If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
- Reports can be made to local law enforcement, including the Foley Police Department.
- Suspected abuse or neglect can also be reported to the Baldwin County Department of Human Resources.
- The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, at 1-800-422-4453, is available 24 hours a day for anyone with questions or concerns about a child’s safety.
Under Alabama law, many professionals who work with children, including teachers, doctors, nurses and child care workers, are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Anyone else who suspects abuse is encouraged to report it as well; a person does not need proof to make a report, and investigators determine what happened.
South AL News will report further developments in the case as they are made public through court records or official statements.
