LEROY, Ala. — A Leroy woman was arrested after being indicted on two felony child-abuse charges by a Washington County grand jury.
Cathy L. Roney, 68, was indicted on Sept. 3 on two counts of child abuse. The indictment accused her of torturing, willfully abusing, cruelly beating or otherwise willfully maltreating two children under the age of 18.
One child was 10 and the other was 13, the indictment said.
Arrest and Bond
A warrant for Roney’s arrest was issued and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested her on Sept. 4. Roney is being held at the Washington County Jail on $20,000 bond.
Court Dates
A hearing for Roney before Circuit Judge Robert Montgomery is scheduled for Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. A plea hearing is set for June 14, 2027, according to court records.
The gap between those two dates is not unusual in Alabama circuit courts. Felony cases are scheduled onto dockets that run well ahead, and the intervening period covers discovery, motions and the possibility of negotiated resolution. An initial hearing in October followed by a plea hearing the following summer reflects standard case management rather than any particular development in this matter.
What the Charge Covers
Alabama’s child abuse statute, codified at Section 26-15-3 of the Alabama Code, makes it an offense for a responsible person to torture, willfully abuse, cruelly beat or otherwise willfully maltreat a child under the age of 18. The offense is a Class C felony, carrying a sentence range of one year and one day to 10 years.
The statute applies to a responsible person — defined to include a child’s natural parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, legal guardian, custodian or any other person responsible for the child’s care. The charging language in the indictment tracks the statutory terms, which is standard drafting practice.
A related provision, aggravated child abuse, applies where the conduct is repeated or results in serious physical injury, and carries a higher classification.
How the Case Reached This Point
Because the case proceeded by indictment, a grand jury reviewed the prosecution’s evidence and determined there was sufficient cause to formally charge. A grand jury proceeding is closed to the public, hears only the prosecution’s presentation and does not determine guilt.
Two separate counts corresponding to two children indicate the state is treating the alleged conduct toward each child as a distinct offense.
Presumption of Innocence
Roney has not been convicted of any offense. An indictment is a formal accusation, not a finding of guilt, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Reporting Suspected Abuse
Alabama law requires certain professionals — including teachers, physicians, nurses, social workers, law enforcement officers and childcare providers — to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Any member of the public may also make a report.
Suspected child abuse in Washington County can be reported to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office or the Alabama Department of Human Resources. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline operates 24 hours a day at 1-800-422-4453.