A previous account mentioned that this fatal beating took place during the father's first overnight visitation. But that point is now dropped.
Instead, the media is focusing on "parents" who have problems with "temper" or "losing control." Well, that's very nice and all. But we really need to pay attention to the dangers of putting children in custody/visitation situations with abusive fathers--especially those who were never married to the mother or had any commitment to her.
Dad is identified as CHISTOPHER BRUCK.
http://www.wdrb.com/story/27912509/father-accused-of-beating-4-year-old-child-who-died-faces-more-charges
Father accused of beating 4-year-old child who died faces more charges
Posted: Jan 22, 2015 10:20 AM EST
Updated: Jan 22, 2015 5:04 PM EST
JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- The man accused of beating his 4-year-old son is now facing more charges.
Christopher Bruck, 27, was expected to appear in court Thursday afternoon on upgraded charges -- aggravated battery resulting in the death of a child and neglect of a dependent resulting in the death of a child.
Authorities arrested Bruck after police say he abused his 4-year-old son. Police say the abuse happened at Bruck's home, which is in the 20000 block of Campbell Street in Underwood.
Bruck's son, Hayden Dukes, was hospitalized for several days before dying from his injuries on Jan. 8. Police responded to Kosair Children's Hospital in Louisville after Bruck brought the child there on Jan. 3 with a severe head injury. He told hospital staff members that Hayden was injured when he fell and hit his head. That's when hospital officials called police.
Clark County Deputy Prosecutor Jeremy Mull says Bruck caused the child's injuries.
"The investigation so far has yielded the fact that the child was simply trying to interact with [Bruck] while he was watching television, that the defendant became irritated at that and this battery then occurred," Mull said.
#But Mull told reporters he doesn't have enough evidence for a murder charge.
"The murder charge actually requires a knowing or intentional killing. In other words, you killed someone on purpose and that's simply not the evidence I have at this time," he said.
Bruck was originally charged with aggravated battery.
"For every case we hear about in the media, we usually have multiple happening behind the scenes," said Dr. Melissa Currie, the Medical Director and Chief for Kosair Charities Division of Pediatric Forensic Medicine.
Dr. Currie told WDRB child abuse is much too common.
"A parent losing control is not uncommon to hear about but certainly there are things we can do to prevent that and I think that goes back to making sure we only leave children in the care of people who have the skills and who are prepared," she said.
She says there are signs everyone should look for.
"Anytime an adult is known to have a problem with a temper or anger. It's all of our responsibility to keep the kids in our community safe and here in Kentucky, we have a mandated reporting law that any of us that has a reasonable suspicion that neglect or abuse occurring, they're required by law to report that," she said.