NOTE:  THIS IS A CORRECTED MEDIA ADVISORY.  THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY CONTAINED ERRORS ON SOME OF THE DATES.  WE APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED.  THANK YOU.***  MEDIA ADVISORY*** July 17, 2007                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMedia Contact:   Curtis T. Hill, Jr., 574-296-1888 FORMAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST KLINE FOR DEATH OF TWO-YEAR-OLD CHILD             Elkhart County Prosecuting Attorney, Curtis T. Hill, Jr., announced today that formal charges have been filed against Eric T. Kline, age 27, of Middlebury, Indiana, in the Elkhart Circuit Court.  Kline has been charged with Battery Resulting in the Death of a Child, a Class A Felony, which same is punishable by up to 50 years imprisonment, and a $10,000 fine.  Kline is still in custody in the Elkhart County Security Center in lieu of $500,000 bond.             The child was taken to South Bend Memorial Hospital on Monday, July 9, 2007, after having been observed by Middlebury EMS personnel that same morning.  According to medical personnel, the child had suffered severe brain trauma, and was removed from life support on Thursday, July 12, 2007.  An autopsy was performed on Friday, July 13, 2007; however it will be several weeks until the full report of the autopsy examination has been completed.  Kline was arrested by police on Tuesday, July 10, 2007, on preliminary charges of aggravated battery, and probable cause for his arrest was determined at a hearing on Friday, subsequent to the death of the child.             There remain a great deal of questions concerning the events leading to the child’s injury, and police are continuing to work on finding answers to those questions.              At approximately 11:30 a.m. on Monday, July 9, 2007, the child, Jesus Hernandez, age 2, of Middlebury, was taken to the Middlebury EMS station by Kline, with the child being in an obvious state of distress.  According to police reports, Kline was involved in a relationship with the child’s mother, Mariana Ortega, and was reportedly responsible for caring for the child at the time of the injury.  Based upon the child’s condition, a determination was made to airlift the child immediately to South Bend Memorial Hospital where more appropriate care might be provided based upon the suspected nature of the injuries.  According to established protocols, Child Protective Services was notified of the child’s injuries and contacted the Middlebury Police Department the afternoon of July 9, 2007 to report the injuries and request an investigation.  The Middlebury Police Department did not commence an investigation until Tuesday, July 10th.             “Immediately commencing an investigation is absolutely crucial in increasing the odds of a successful investigation.”, said Hill.  “Middlebury Marshal Greg Thomas knows that his department is limited by its experience and resources to adequately investigate an allegation of this nature.  Although he did eventually ask for assistance from the Elkhart Police Department Homicide Unit, the ensuing delays and confusion prior to Thomas’s request has hampered this investigation.  My office will continue to monitor the ongoing investigation and proceed with the prosecution of Mr. Kline.”, Hill said.    Â“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law”