Court records show man arrested for hammer murder was released on bail as he was charged with child abuse

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) – FOX10 News is learning more about the man arrested in connection with a hammer murder.

According to the Mobile Police Department, officers responded to the Azalea Pointe Apartments at 651 Azalea Road around 11:42 p.m. on Monday and found 30-year-old Aprentice Ethridge dead from blunt force trauma inside an apartment.

Investigators found that Ethridge and suspect Jaylen Tyus were discussing Tyus' girlfriend when Tyus allegedly hit Ethridge with a hammer, MPD said.

Tyus was arrested by police on Monday. He was booked into the Mobile County Jail on murder charges.

On Wednesday, court records show prosecutors denied Tyus bail because he was out on bail on a charge of aggravated child abuse. In March, the Mobile Police Department arrested Jaylen Tyus on Monday on a charge of aggravated child abuse. Authorities said officers were called to USA Children's & Women's Hospital for a possible child abuse case. The MPD said evidence indicated the toddler had been physically abused by his stepfather, Tyus.

Tyus is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday.

On Saturday, Ethridge's family gathered for a candlelight vigil at the site where he was shot.

Click here to donate to the family's Go Fund Me for funeral expenses.

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