Michigan Man Guilty of Child Abuse for Putting Cleaner in Child’s Mouth
A man has been convicted of child abuse after prosecutors said he put floor cleaner in a young child’s mouth at a Michigan Walmart store.
The 77-year-old Huron County man, identified as Russell Alexander Kopah, was found guilty of fourth-degree child abuse but acquitted of a separate charge of witness intimidation, which alleged he threatened a Walmart employee who saw the incident.
Detective Sgt. Derek Joy of the Bad Axe Police Department testified about the investigation that followed after police were alerted.
Witness Accounts and Video Evidence
What the Jury Heard About Kopah
- Testimony and video evidence showed Kopah opening a bottle of Murphy’s concentrated floor cleaner, dipping his finger inside, and placing it in the child’s mouth. Prosecutors said he then rubbed the cleaner on the child’s face.
- The child was then seen wiping his face with his arm.
- A store employee witnessed the incident and called police.
- The Walmart sales associate testified that shortly after interacting with the child, they saw Kopah apply the cleaner to the child’s face, noticing liquid running down the boy’s face and dripping from his nose.
- The bottle of cleaner had a warning label stating that it should be kept out of the reach of children.
According to WNEM-TV, the jury also heard testimony that Kopah returned to the Walmart location about three weeks later, threatening the witness and saying, “You’re the snitch.”
Defense Testimony
During his testimony, Kopah denied placing the cleaner on the child or in his mouth and claimed he was only implying the act.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 27.
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