Woman Charged with Felony Battery of Toddler

A six-month investigation by the Indiana State Police leads to the arrest of 20-year-old Kaitlyn Hopkins.

Photo courtesy Indiana State Police

(Washington Co. Ind.) - A six-month investigation by the Indiana State Police leads to the arrest of 20-year-old Kaitlyn Hopkins of Little York with Felony battery and Neglect of a Dependent. 

In August of 2019, Indiana State Police Trooper Tyler Matthew was dispatched to Notron (Kosair's) Children's Hospital in Louisville, at the request of The Washington County Indiana Department of Child Services. Investigators with DCS requested assistance in investigating possible child abuse to a two-year-old male child. 

The investigation revealed that the child's father first took the boy to the Scott County Hospital after he was informed that the child had caught his leg in the crib at his residence. The investigation also revealed that Hopkins, the father's fiance, was the primary caregiver at the time. 

Medical professionals from Kosair's also contacted the University of Louisville Pediatric Forensic Medicine Unit for assistance. PFM issued a report on their findings to Trooper Matthew and DCS in October of 2019.

Trooper Matthew continued his investigation by conduction interviews and gathering evidence when he then turned over his findings to the Washington County Prosecutor's Office. 

As a result of the investigation, Trooper Matthew arrested Kaitlyn Hopkins on Tuesday, March 3, for Battery and Neglect of a Dependent. Both charges are Level 3 Felonies. Hopkins was taken to the Washington County Jail without incident. The child in this investigation was placed with paternal relatives after being released from Norton (Kosair's) Children's Hospital.