A 32-year-old Troy woman was indicted Tuesday in the Jan. 12 death of her 2-month-old son.
Miranda Hopkins was indicted by a Knox County grand jury in Rockland on a manslaughter charge in the death of Jaxson Hopkins. This is a lesser charge than the murder count on which she was arrested last month.
Her attorney Christopher MacLean said his client would plead not guilty at her initial court appearance on the manslaughter charge. She is expected to be arraigned on Feb. 27. MacLean said he expected Hopkins to be released on bail Tuesday afternoon. Bail was set at $5,000 cash or $50,000 in real estate surety.
The indictment alleges that Hopkins recklessly or with criminal negligence caused the baby’s death.
Manslaughter has no mandatory minimum with a potential 30-year maximum sentence.
Police stated in an affidavit filed last month at Belfast District Court in Belfast that the baby died from blunt force head injuries that included cuts and bruises on the head and skull, rib fractures, and bleeding on the surface of the brain.
Hopkins suggested to police that the baby could have been crushed or smothered accidentally by one of her other sons, 8 and 6, both of whom are autistic, according to court documents.
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