An investigation into the battery of a four-year old boy from Underwood Indiana has now turned into a murder investigation as Hayden Dukes of 22416 Campbell Street in Underwood, IN, (rural Clark County) passed away this afternnoon in a Louisville hospital.
Hayden was in Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY after allegedly being battered by his father, Christopher A. Bruck.
Hayden had not responded to treatment and taken off the ventilator which was keeping him alive with approval from his family. He died shortly after being taken off the apparatus.
Hayden’s family is holding an auction to raise funds for his funeral expenses. You can find and bid on items via the Auctions for Hayden Facebook page.
Bruck, 27, Hayden Dukes’ father, was in court yesterday facing a number of charges including aggravated battery. He is currently in jail and being held on a $100,000 full-cash bond.
The Aggravated Battery and Neglect of a Dependent case against Bruck has now officially turned into a Death Investigation case.
An autopsy will be performed on Hayden Dukes Friday morning at the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville, KY. When this autopsy has been completed further information will be released.
At this time no further information will be released by the Indiana State Police or the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office.
On January 3, 2015, Detective Raichel Abbott and Detective David Mitchell from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg were sent to the Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY to investigate serious and suspicious injuries to a four year old male child from 22416 Campbell Street in Underwood, IN, (rural Clark County). The child had been transferred to Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, KY from the Scott County Hospital located in Scott County, IN. A doctor at the Scott County Hospital contacted the Indiana State Police after seeing the child and suspecting possible injuries from child abuse.
While at the Kosair Children’s Hospital, Detective’s Abbott and Mitchell interviewed the father of the child, Christopher A. Bruck, 27, from the above mentioned address in Clark County. While talking to Christopher Bruck it was learned that he became upset at the four year old child and struck him. Later that same afternoon Scott County E.M.S. was called to the address in Underwood and transported the child to the Scott County Hospital for treatment.
After speaking to Christopher A. Bruck, he was transported back to Indiana where he was arrested and incarcerated at the Clark County Jail. He was charged with Aggravated Battery, Level 3 Felony and Neglect of Dependent Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Level 3 Felony.
