Hopf sentenced in toddler’s death
The Dubois County Circuit Court sentenced Charles M. Hopf, 22, for the death of a 17-month-Xavier Miller.
Hopf agreed to plead guilty to a Level 1 felony charge of aggravated battery that resulted in the death of child under 14. The plea agreement was predicated with the State dropping the murder charge that was added in October of 2015.
The Dubois County Circuit Court agreed to the plea deal Thursday that sentenced Hopf to a 40-year sentence with the Indiana Department of Correction for the Level 1 felony. He must serve 75 percent of the sentence.
The Jasper Police Department arrested Hopf on December 20, 2014 after 17-month-old Xavier Miller was brought to the emergency room at Memorial Hospital at about 12:30 a.m. According to police, Xavier suffered from severe burns to his face, cuts to his upper lip, bite marks on his arm, and a severe brain injury.
At 7:09 a.m. that day, Xavier died while being treated for a brain injury at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville. The death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma by the Jefferson County, Ky. medical examiner who conducted the autopsy.
Hopf has remained lodged at the Dubois County Security Center since his arrest December 20, 2014.
I’m not a fan of plea bargains and reduced charges, particularly where murder and children are involved, but if this sentence is correct as indicated and he must serve at least 30 years (75 percent) of the 40-years given before being eligible for parole – and actually behind bars and not on furlough or monitored status – I’d call it sufficient and good. A tragedy for all involved to be sure.