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Since 2003 Hopkinton Online Press^TM "The News Starts Here!" 24 Main Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748 Editor@HopNews.com 508-435-5534 Updated: August 10, 2010 07:05:24 PM

Acton Woman Arraigned For Death Of Son

ACTON- August 10, 2010 — An Acton woman has been arraigned on a straight warrant in connection with the death of her 13 month old child, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

            Christina Hancock, 23, of Acton, was arrested today and immediately arraigned in Concord District Court on the charge of first degree murder for the death of Kaydn Hancock, 13 months-old.  She was ordered held without bail by Concord District Court Judge Yee.  Her next court date is August 17 for a bail hearing.

              “This defendant is alleged to have beaten her own child with such severity that the violent nature and broad scope of his injuries were fatal,” District Attorney Leone said.  “I commend the Massachusetts State Police assigned to our office and the Acton Police for their diligent work in investigating the circumstances of little Kaydn’s death, and arresting the defendant.”

            According to authorities, at approximately 4:29 a.m. May 12, the defendant called 911 reporting that her child had fallen out of his crib and hit his head. Acton Fire Department EMT’s responded to the residence on 187 Great Road and found the victim who was unresponsive and having trouble breathing.  The victim was transported to Emerson Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:17 a.m.

            Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and Acton police began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kaydn’s death. Investigators determined that the night before Kaydn died, he was home with his mother and sister, age 2.  He appeared to be happy, healthy and playful.  That night he had fed himself cheerios and drank a bottle before going to sleep at 8pm.   

The State Medical Examiner’s Office (ME) conducted an autopsy on the victim. Multiple traumatic injuries were noted, including multiple contusions, lacerations, internal bleeding and hemorrhages on the top of his head.  The ME opined that the victim’s injuries were symptomatic of infliction of fatal injuries and not consistent with falling out of a crib.  The ME ruled the manner of death homicide and the cause of death blunt force trauma.

An investigation also revealed that the defendant had previously delayed medical treatment for a fractured arm, despite noticing that he was not crawling or using his arm for several days. 

These charges are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

            The prosecutors assigned to the case are Assistant District Attorney Katharine Folger, Chief of the Middlesex District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit, and Deborah Bercovitch.  The victim witness advocate is Susan Marshall.

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Last Update for this page:  08/10/2010 07:05:24 PM

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