A Newark man pleaded not guilty to additional charges in connection with the death of his infant daughter, who prosecutors accuse him of killing in October 2023.
Chance T. Topp, 29, faces aggravated murder, two counts each of murder and involuntary manslaughter, one count each of felonious assault and endangering children, and counts of strangulation and assault in Licking County Common Pleas Court, records show. He entered the plea during a May 19 hearing.
A grand jury issued a superseding indictment May 13, adding the aggravated murder charge and one charge each of murder, assault and involuntary manslaughter. In an initial July 2 indictment, Topp had only faced some charges, pleading not guilty to one each of murder, involuntary manslaughter and reckless homicide, among some others, records show.
A pathology expert found that Topp’s actions caused his daughter’s death, stating they were consistent with purposeful homicide, according to the records. The report, in part, led the Licking County Prosecutor’s Office to pursue the additional charges.
Topp’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
In court records, prosecutors allege that Topp on Oct. 13, 2023, held a pacifier in his 4-month-old daughter’s mouth with enough force to suffocate her. Topp had been caring for her that day and wanted to sleep but grew frustrated with his daughter’s fussing and crying, detectives allege.
Utica police responded around 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 to a report of an unresponsive infant in the area. First responders found the daughter lying motionless in the home and some injuries on her neck and jawline, and Licking Memorial Hospital staff said she had died an hour later.
In an initial interview, detectives allege Topp told them he may have held his daughter too tight and forcefully held the pacifier in her mouth while she was on her chest. Topp put her back in the crib, went to sleep and woke up after hearing her gasp for air, detectives allege he said.
The Licking County Coroner’s Office ruled the daughter’s death was by asphyxia, the report states. The pressure of the pacifier against the mouth was forceful enough to block her airway, including her nose and mouth, and also caused the bruising, detectives allege.
In a follow-up interview after his June 2025 arrest, detectives allege in the records that Topp said he held the pacifier for too long and forcefully against his daughter’s mouth and that she became unresponsive in his arms.
A jury trial in the case is scheduled for July 27, court records show. He remained in the Licking County jail as of May 19 in lieu of a $200,000 bond, which the court originally set at $2 million before modifying it.
Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Man faces more charges in connection with infant daughter’s death
Reporting by Josué Perez, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
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