Dezmond Turner, the former president of Central Alabama Pride, was arrested earlier this week on two felony counts of child abuse torture and one misdemeanor count of sexual misconduct.

Shelby County court records show Turner, 32, of Ashville, was taken into custody September 16 by Pelham police. He posted a total of $32,000 bond and was released the same day. The child abuse charges stem from alleged incidents on a Shelby County school bus on August 31 and September 1.

According to charging documents, Turner grabbed a child's head and slammed it multiple times against the bus wall on August 31. On September 1, he is accused of slapping the child's face, placing his body weight on the child to allow someone to pass, and pressing the child's head against the wall. Turner worked as a bus aide for Shelby County Schools and has been placed on administrative leave.

A separate sexual misconduct charge, executed via a January 2024 warrant, alleges Turner grabbed another person's crotch and buttocks without consent on two occasions in December 2023. Court documents do not indicate the victim in that case was a minor.

Turner recently resigned as president of Central Alabama Pride, a Birmingham-based LGBTQ organization. Vice President Hunter Rowe confirmed the departure but offered no further details.

The school district stated it is cooperating with investigators and remains committed to student safety. No trial date has been set as of Sunday afternoon.