(NNDC) Charles Hopf was formally sentenced Thursday to 40 years in prison as part of a plea agreement reached last month with the Dubois County Prosecutor’s office.
He was sentenced for aggravated battery that led to the death of a toddler.
Hopf was in the care of 17 month old Xavier Miller on Dec. 20, 2014 at a home he shared with the toddler’s mother on Dewey Street in Jasper.
In open court, the now 22-year Hopf allocuted to his role in young Xavier’s death saying,
“I’m sorry… my actions have affected so many lives. I lay in bed most nights and think of him and what I have done. I hope someday you will find it in your hearts to forgive me.”
Xavier’s mother, India Clay, was able to address the court and Hopf at Thursday’s sentencing hearing. She says even though Charles was not the boy’s father, he was her son’s hero.
Clay, who still lives in Jasper, says it will be hard to forgive Hopf as he did take away something so precious.
