On May 25, 2023, a preliminary hearing was held before Magisterial District Judge Vivian Cohick on charges against 25-year-old, Timothy Sampson of Newville. Following a hearing, all charges were held to the Court of Common Pleas. The charges include First Degree Murder, Third Degree Murder, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child by a Parent or Guardian. During the hearing, MDJ Cohick heard testimony from multiple Pennsylvania State Police troopers and Dr. Wayne Ross, an expert is forensic pathology. The testimony showed that the 13-month-old victim suffered from asphyxia at his father’s hands during the overnight hours between December 31, 2022, and January 1, 2023. Following an autopsy, Dr. Ross opined that the cause of death was asphyxia due to multiple traumatic injuries caused by compressive loading and that the manner of death is homicide. Dr. Ross testified that injuries due to compressive loading require substantial force. He further opined that death caused in that way is an intentional act that takes several minutes. Timothy Sampson is the biological father of the 13-month-old victim. Charges were filed by Trooper Kaleb Reitz of the Pennsylvania State Police in Carlisle. Trooper Shawn Barry and Trooper Jacob Brown-Shields, also of the Pennsylvania State Police in Carlisle, assisted. This case is being prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hair LaRue.

Note: The statements above are only an allegation at this time. Timothy Sampson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.