Toddler’s cause of death released, Hopf makes initial court appearance
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.
Go to Facebook. Look up the name India Clay, scroll down her page a bit and you will find the link to ufund .. thank u
Rest in Peace baby Xavier.
That poor child. There is NEVER any reason to harm a baby. You can tell by the picture of him that he looked to be such a happy baby. I cannot imagine someone ever doing that stuff. The family must be in such horrible pain. May God help ease their pain in their time of grief.
May God be with the family and help ease their pain in this time of grief. Hard to believe that anyone could do this to a poor defensless child….. prayers go out from my family to yours RIP Xavier
numb, angry, hurting for my Indiana brothers and sisters. India Clay, and especially my O.G. Lisa. If i could take your pain and turn it into mine i would do it with a quickness
My prayers go out to my coworker, Gwanda Clay, the baby’s grandmother, and the rest of the family. I can’t and don’t want to imagine the pain. Such a beautiful little boy who God is holding tightly. I pray for strength for the family to get through this. God Bless.