JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP): A southern Indiana man now faces new charges in connection with the alleged beating death of his 4-year-old son.
 
Christopher Bruck of Underwood appeared in Clark Circuit Court for his initial hearing Thursday on charges of aggravated battery causing death to a child and neglect of a dependent causing death to a child, both level 1 felonies.
 
His son, Hayden Duke, died Jan. 8 while hospitalized.
 
A not guilty plea was entered during the hearing.
 
The 27-year-old defendant has admitted to Indiana State Police investigators that he struck the child, resulting in the boy hitting his head on the floor. A probable cause affidavit says police found the child with “bruising throughout his body.''
 
The defendant and his public defender, Mitch Harlan, declined to comment to reporters.