A judge delayed the autopsy of a 15-month-old child Tuesday in the aggravated battery case against 20-year-old Braxton D. Williamson, of Bulpitt, ruling on whether Williamson's pathology expert can observe the procedure.

Williamson was previously arrested on a Class X aggravated battery charge following an investigation into significant injuries suffered by a 15-month-old child on July 31st.

According to the Christian County Sheriff's Office, the child was initially reported to have fallen. Medical professionals later determined the injuries were not consistent with a fall, prompting the initial investigation that led to Williamson's arrest. 

Williamson appeared in court in custody with his appointed public defender as the court considered a request involving the availability for Williamson's defense to acquire an expert to either be present during the autopsy, or for video recording of the procedure to be available for later review. The prosecution argued the autopsy should move forward as planned, while allowing the defense to conduct a second autopsy afterward.

To allow time for the defense's expert to become available, the matter has currently been reset to Monday, August 17th. The court noted the defense's expert's schedule was not yet known, but the expert could potentially be available as soon as Wednesday afternoon.

The judge ordered that if the state's expert agrees to have the autopsy recorded on video, the procedure can proceed immediately. If the coroner does not agree, the defense will have Wednesday and Thursday to have its expert present.

If the defense's expert is unavailable during that time, the state may proceed with the autopsy Friday or as soon afterward as it can be scheduled. The court also ordered that the child's body be preserved so the defense can conduct a second autopsy in the event the first autopsy isn't recorded and if the defense's expert is not present.

As of now, Williamson will remain in custody.

Further investigations and discoveries are ongoing at this time and no further details are available.

Williamson is presumed innocent until proven guilty. All charges at this time are allegations and a conviction has not yet been made.

Hart Media Group continues to follow this case, and will post updates as they become available to taylorvilledailynews.com.