A Brewton man was arrested last week after police say he confessed to the sexual abuse of a child while the man was being treated for a suicide attempt.

Christopher Dean, 32, of Grice Street in East Brewton, was charged with sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12.

Police said that Dean had been under investigation for several months, but the case ran into some stumbling blocks. Last Thursday, said Lt. Brock Holt, Dean was taken to D.W. McMillan Hospital after attempting to slit his wrists. At that time, Holt said, Dean admitted to those around him what he had done.

Police were called and arrested Dean, and the case remains under investigation, Holt said.

“Somebody has to stand up for that child,” Holt said.