Aggravated Child Abuse Investigation/Suicide in Cropwell

For Release

April 28, 2026

Aggravated Child Abuse Investigation/Suicide in Cropwell

The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office received reports involving potential physical and sexual abuse of minors, as well as concerns regarding aggravated child abuse and mistreatment of those minors.

After a thorough investigation, Shelli Edwards, 39, of Cropwell, AL, was taken into custody for aggravated child abuse. She is currently being housed at the St. Clair County Jail in Pell City with no bond pending her initial court appearance in St. Clair County District Court.

An arrest warrant was also obtained for Jeffry Edwards, age 45, of Cropwell, AL, for the charge of Rape 1st degree.  Upon attempting to serve the arrest warrant, St. Clair County SWAT team members discovered the suspect inside his residence, deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Preliminary information suggests the injury occurred as SWAT team members arrived on the property.

The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office has requested an outside investigation into the apparent suicide, which the Oxford Police Department will conduct, and the scene is being processed by Jacksonville State University's Center for Applied Science Forensics Team. 

No deputies were injured during the incident. 

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office is continuing to investigate the sexual abuse allegations.  The victim's age ranges from 7 to 18 years old. Our investigation into these allegations does not indicate the potential for any additional victims.

Billy J. Murray

Sheriff