Brighton alderman/constable charged with child abuse

A Brighton alderman and constable was charged with child abuse this week.

According to the affidavit of complaint, Kyle Smith was charged with abusing a child in his care. The complaint states last month the child told a school resource officer that Smith had punched them in the stomach.

Smith, 46, reportedly admitted to popping the victim in the chest during a June 12 court proceeding in Lauderdale County.

He was arrested on June 18 and released on bond. He is due back in court on July 1.

Smith, of Phillips Street, was elected alderman in November 2024. He has also served as constable for several years.

He is not Brighton’s first elected official to face legal troubles. In fact, there have been several over the last 15 years.

In 2021, David Boone, who was then serving as alderman, was indicted by a grand jury in Southaven, Miss. on two counts of fondling a minor. The charges stemmed from an investigation by Southaven police. Boone, who was a high school teacher, was convicted in April 2023. He resigned from the Brighton Board of Mayor and Aldermen in March 2022 after residents filed an ouster.

In a separate case, Walter “Booster” Blalack, a former alderman and vice mayor, was arrested in April 2011. He was charged with sexual battery, sexual battery by an authority figure, and solicitation of a minor after allegations surfaced that he had inappropriately touched two teenage boys. Blalack did not seek re-election following the charges. He died in 2020.

Additionally, Jeff Scott, who previously served as both Brighton mayor and a Tipton County commissioner, was indicted in 2014 for official misconduct. He was accused of using town employees and equipment for personal projects while serving as mayor. Scott was convicted and resigned from both offices following the charges.