Bunker Hill father arrested after 5-month-old child found with serious injuries

Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 6:00 PM

A Bunker Hill father was arrested last week after allegedly causing serious injury to his 5-month-old child.

According to court documents, Gage Church, 22, faces charges of domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 3 felony; neglect resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 3 felony; neglect of a dependent resulting in catastrophic injury, a Level 1 felony; and a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana.

It was reported that the investigation on Church had began on June 13, after he had contacted authorities claiming that his infant had substained injuries from falling off the bed in his residence located at Bunker Hill's Estates at Eagle's Pointe.

Church told investigators that he had been the only person inside of the residence at the time of the incident.

The child was soon airlifted from the scene to a Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, and was later transferred to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis.

A report conducted by a doctor at Riley Children's Hospital stated the infant's injuries were not consistent with a short distance fall.

The pediatric surgeon told investigators the infant suffered from a closed deep head wound with internal bleeding, also known as a subdural hematoma.

The infant also suffered from multiple hemorrhages throughout her eye and head area, and a rib fracture that had been approximately two weeks old.

The doctor's report concluded that the injuries on the child had been a result of rapid acceleration-deceleration force. It was also stated that the infant's rib fracture was a result of a forceful compression of the chest.

On June 18, Church was booked into the Miami County Jail with a $100,000 surety bond.