Staff writer
Late Friday afternoon, Harvey County Sheriff T. Walton and County Attorney David Yoder held a press conference to announce that Yoder filed new charges in Harvey County District Court against Chad Carr, 26.
First-degree murder charges were added to the two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of child abuse with which Carr was charged shortly after the March 27 death of his girlfriend’s 19-month-old son, Vincent Hill. Carr was home alone with the boy when he died. He had called 911 to report the child was unresponsive and not breathing. He was arrested on the battery and abuse charges a short time later.
The child’s mother, Katheryn Nycole Dale was also arrested on charges of felony child endangerment, felony child abuse, and aggravated battery.
The additional charges against Carr came after Yoder received a coroner’s report that ruled the boy’s death a homicide. “… The report shows that Vincent died from a combination of injuries resulting from the beating and evidence of asphyxiation,” Yoder said.
Yoder waited on the completed coroner’s report before determining if additional charges would be filed against Carr or the boy’s mother. Yoder anticipates no further charges against Dale.
The amended complaint against Carr alleged he was responsible for:
- The murder of Vincent Hill on or about March 27;
- Breaking the child’s left collarbone on or about March 27;
- Causing a spiral fracture of the child’s right tibia on or about March 27;
- Harming Vincent on or about March 25.
At a previously scheduled preliminary hearing Tuesday morning in Harvey County District Court, Carr and his attorney, Charles O’Hara, were apprised of the amended complaint against Carr.
O’Hara requested a continuance of the hearing to give him time to review the new charges and prepare a defense. Yoder said he had no objection to a continuance. Judge Richard Walker set the hearing for 1 p.m. on July 9. At a preliminary hearing, the prosecution must prove to a judge there is ample evidence to proceed to the actual trial.
Before court was dismissed, Yoder brought a second amended complaint to the attention of the defense attorney. In a previous action not related to the death of Vincent Hill, Carr was charged with 16 counts of sexual exploitation of a child — viewing, downloading, or trading child pornography.
Yoder noted the amended complaint reduced the charge to 13 counts.
After the first-degree murder charges were filed Friday, Carr’s bond was raised to $300,000. Both he and Dale remain in the Harvey County Detention Center.