BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham is charged with aggravated child abuse, according to court documents.
Dr. Jean-Francois Pittet, 71, was arrested on Tuesday by the Vestavia Hills Police Department. He was booked into jail on a $30,000 bond.
Court documents state the crime took place within Jefferson County on or around July 1. It also alleges that the abuse took place on more than one occasion.
Following Pittet's arrest, UAB issued the following statement:
"We are aware of the arrest and can confirm that this individual has been placed on administrative leave. We take this matter extremely seriously. As employment matters are handled between the employee and the institution, we have no further comment at this time."
Pittet's profile on UAB’s website states he worked within the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine.