Prosecutors allege the 4-month-old girl died after her father pressed a pacifier over her airway inside the family home.
UTICA, Ohio — An Ohio father has been charged with aggravated murder and multiple felony offenses after prosecutors alleged he suffocated his 4-month-old daughter by forcing a pacifier against her mouth and nose while trying to stop her from crying.
Chance Topp, 29, was indicted in Licking County on 13 criminal charges connected to the October 2023 death of his infant daughter, identified in court records as R.T. Prosecutors said investigators spent months reviewing medical evidence, witness statements and forensic findings before presenting the case to a grand jury. Authorities alleged the infant died from asphyxia after Topp became frustrated during the early morning hours inside the family’s home in Utica, a village northeast of Columbus.
According to court filings summarized by prosecutors, emergency crews responded to the family residence on Oct. 13, 2023, after receiving reports of an unresponsive infant. First responders arrived to find the child in critical condition before she was later pronounced dead. Investigators initially said Topp claimed he had put the baby down to sleep and later discovered she was struggling to breathe. Authorities said he told officers he attempted CPR before paramedics arrived at the home. Medical personnel reportedly observed bruising around the infant’s jaw and neck area, prompting investigators to begin examining whether the child’s injuries were consistent with suffocation or strangulation. Prosecutors later alleged that family members inside the home had heard prolonged crying before the infant stopped responding.
As investigators continued examining the case, prosecutors said relatives provided statements describing tension inside the household in the hours leading up to the child’s death. Court records stated the infant’s grandmother told authorities she heard unusual crying and attempted to help care for the baby but was allegedly turned away. Prosecutors also alleged Topp admitted to smoking Delta-8-THC products inside the residence while caring for the child. Investigators said toxicology testing later detected a cannabis-related metabolite in the infant’s system. Authorities further alleged Topp acknowledged during later interviews that he may have held the baby too tightly while trying to silence her crying. According to prosecutors, detectives eventually concluded the child’s airway had been blocked long enough to cause fatal oxygen deprivation.
An autopsy later determined the infant died from asphyxia, according to court documents filed in the case. Prosecutors said medical findings included petechiae and swelling consistent with suffocation injuries. During a later interview with investigators in 2025, authorities alleged Topp admitted he pressed a pacifier forcefully over the infant’s mouth and nose while trying to quiet her so he could return to sleep. Prosecutors said he allegedly acknowledged holding it there “too hard and too long.” Investigators also cited a recorded jail phone call in which Topp allegedly confirmed earlier statements he made to police were truthful. A pathology expert consulted during the investigation reportedly classified the infant’s death as a homicide after reviewing the medical evidence and witness accounts gathered during the case.
The indictment filed against Topp includes aggravated murder, two counts of murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, strangulation, felonious assault, domestic violence, child endangerment and falsification-related charges. Court records showed Topp pleaded not guilty during a hearing held May 19 in Licking County Common Pleas Court. A judge reduced his bond from $2 million to $200,000, though he remained in custody following the hearing. Prosecutors said the lengthy investigation reflected the complexity of reviewing forensic evidence, medical records and interview statements before formal charges were expanded. Authorities have not announced whether additional evidence or witnesses could be presented before trial.
The allegations shocked residents in the small central Ohio community, where many followed the investigation for months before prosecutors publicly outlined details surrounding the infant’s death. Authorities emphasized that the child was only 4 months old and depended entirely on adults for care and protection. Emergency responders reportedly told investigators the injuries observed on the infant did not initially appear consistent with a natural medical emergency. Family members who spoke with detectives also described confusion and grief in the immediate aftermath of the incident. Prosecutors have continued to argue in court filings that the evidence points to intentional actions rather than an accident inside the home.
Topp is scheduled to stand trial on July 27, 2026, in Licking County as pretrial proceedings continue. Prosecutors said the homicide case remains active and additional hearings are expected before jury selection begins.