Missouri Bootheel man accused of killing infant son

KENNETT, Mo. (AP) -- A Missouri Bootheel man faces second-degree murder charges in the death of his 4-month-old son.

Eric "Rat" Hooper, 29, of Kennett, was arrested Saturday and arraigned Tuesday. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 9. He is jailed on $250,000 bond.

Police received a 911 call Saturday from the infant's paternal grandmother, who said the child, David Lee Tyler Mitchell, was not responsive. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Police Lt. Tim Trowbridge said the baby suffered severe trauma to the back of the head. Hopper allegedly admitted to Trowbridge and a Missouri State Highway Patrol investigator that he pushed his son against a "hard, wooden surface," and dropped the child headfirst onto the kitchen floor.

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Information from: Kennett Daily Dunklin Democrat, http://www.dddnews.com.