Jasper man arrested for battering toddler (update)
Update: Authorities have released further details regarding the death of a 17-month-old over the weekend.
According to authorities, the autopsy performed by Dr. Jeffery Springer, the Jefferson County, Ky., Medical Examiner, indicated Xavier Miller died from blunt force trauma to his head and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Hopf was seen briefly in Dubois County Circuit Court Monday morning but his initial appearance has been held over until Tuesday.
A site has been established to assist the family with the funeral expenses for the toddler. http://www.gofundme.com/j5cq1o
According to the Jasper Police Department, the investigation is ongoing at this time.
Update: According to authorities, the child involved in the battery passed away at 7:09 a.m. at Kosair Children’s Hospital.
Charges against Charles Hopf have been upgraded to Level 1 felony aggravated battery causing the death of a child less than 14 years of age.
The Jasper Police Department also extended its condolences to the family of the victim.
Previously
Jasper — A Jasper man was arrested after a one-year-old was brought to the emergency room with life-threatening injuries early Saturday morning.
According to police, they were called to Memorial Hospital to investigate after the child was brought in with several severe injuries. The one-year-old male had severe burns to his face, cuts to his upper lip, bite marks on his arm, and a severe brain injury, according to authorities.
The child was under the care of Charles M. Hopf, 21, of Dewey Street, when the injuries took place. According to the mother, India Clay, the child was dropped off with Hopf, her boyfriend but not the father of the child, at about 6:30 p.m. while she went to work. The child was brought to Memorial Hospital at about 12:30 a.m. for treatment.
The child was transferred to Kosair Children’s Hospital for the life-threatening brain injury.
During the investigation, Hopf confessed to police that he bit the child on the arm earlier in the evening. He also admitted the head injury may have occurred when he pushed the child down after becoming frustrated with him. Hopf also told police the burn was likely sustained when he was giving the child a bath and the water was inadvertently on too hot.
Police charged Hopf with Level 3 felony aggravated battery and booked him into the Dubois County Security Center.
While I certainly agree with the first two comments, some parental culpability must be questioned. Who, and under what circumstances was the boy brought to the hospital for treatment? Was this babysitter in a current or previous relationship with the mother…and had he cared for the child previously? Why did he need to give the child a bath during a stay of only few hours? What mother would approve of a young male babysitter, alone, giving her 1-year-old (male) child a bath? Yes, there can be exceptions and all the facts aren’t known, but in general this whole thing stinks of bad choices by the mother and woefully sick criminal offenses of the worst kind by this “babysitter.”
Do you really think the mother knew that this scum bag would do this to her child? This poor woman is already grieving, and you have the nerve to try to place blame on her? How about a little compassion for what this mother is going thru. I speak from experience when I say it’s one of the most horrible things a mother will go thru, to lose a child. She is blaming herself enough, and doesn’t need people making falso accusations or spreading gossip when they don’t know the situation. If you don’t know the situation, you need to stop throwing judgement. My prayers go out to this poor woman and the hell she is going thru right now.
Agree it is absolute hell. She will question every decision during her pain 🙁 I too know from experience. As for the comment above I don’t question a male giving a male baby a bath. What would be of more concern is a female infant. And the article says the man was her boyfriend
I agree with Julie! My heart aches for her! I couldn’t imagine the pain she’s going through! Every pic on her FB page has him in it! You know she loved little Xavier! I suggest you put your money where your mouth is and donate to their fund, you inconsiderate woman, Mrs.Hubert!
Like the mother isn’t suffering enough…here you are during, I’m sure to be her darkest moments, to make her feel worse. I hope everyone can find it in their hearts to lift people people’s spirits around this time of year. This is such a tragedy for their family. You all are in my thoughts!
Young mothers have to work! Life is not easy! We don’t know her struggles! What we do know, it’s that this man (not a boy)admitted to doing these things. Please let this mother mourn her loss without speculation. She deserves that. The man deserves everything he’s about to experience. Prayers to this young mother.
Very well said. Prayers to the mother and family.
Very well spoken Julie and all comments under hers. Instead of hurtful criticism towards the mom, pray for her and her family. Even if you think she made a bad choice that doesn’t mean she should have to go thru this.
What a sad sick world we live in…
How sad!!!! My prayers to the Mother and family.. It’s. sad how you want to try and put blame on the Mother she just lost her son and is mourning.Place the blame where it needs to be on this grown sick twisted man who put his hands on this innocent child there is only one word to describe him Murderer!!!
praying for all the family so sad my heart breaks for all of you will be praying for everyone
My son trained this man at the Rubber Plant in Jasper and said Charles was one of the nicest people you could ever work with. He also worked a second job at a fast food restaurant. He is just devastated at how he could do this to this baby and what brought him to do it? Drugs? Just couldn’t handle the responsibility or what? It is just so sad all the way around. They all lost in the end. So sad for the baby and Mom and Charles. 3 lives ruined!!!