Oconomowoc parents criminally charged in death of 10-week-old baby

WAUKESHA CO. -- The parents of a 10-week-old baby that died on Saturday, September 15th were criminally charged in connection with the death on Tuesday afternoon.

32-year-old Dana Hooper and 33-year-old Kevin Hooper of Oconomowoc were formally charged Tuesday during a court appearance in Waukesha County.

Dana Hooper

Dana Hooper faces a first-degree intentional homicide charge, and Kevin Hooper faces a charge of failure to report the death of a child. Additionally, bail was set for the two, with Dana Hooper receiving a $1 million bail, and Kevin Hooper receiving a $100,000 bail.

Police responded to a home around 5:45 p.m. on Saturday after receiving a call regarding the baby’s death. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

A criminal complaint in the case says a Medical Examiner's report indicated the baby died due to a large number of stab wounds to the chest and torso area.

The criminal complaint says Dana Hooper had been checked into the hospital Saturday afternoon based upon a report she was suicidal. She told staff at the hospital she had killed her baby.

"This case clearly cries out with some very serious mental health issues. There's no rational explanation for what happened," Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel said.

The criminal complaint indicates while speaking with officers at the hospital, Dana Hooper was "staring straight ahead," and made a number of statements without being asked questions, including "psychotic," "no sleep in five days," "postpartum in the past," "new medication."

The complaint indicates Dana Hooper had been hearing voices in her head and they told her to kill her baby. Dana Hooper told officials she stabbed the baby "six or seven times."

Dana Hooper told officials neither she, nor her husband had called authorities after the baby was killed -- but instead went to the hospital to check Dana Hooper in for psychiatric help.

Kevin Hooper

Kevin Hooper told officials he was outside with the other two children (ages two and three), when Dana Hooper killed the baby. Upon coming inside for lunch, Dana Hooper revealed she had killed the baby, and Kevin Hooper told officials he thought he should call an ambulance, but knew the baby was already dead, and was concerned about police taking his wife to jail.

After checking Dana Hooper into the hospital, Kevin Hooper took the other two children home, and called Dana's father for "help." Later, Kevin Hooper received a call from hospital staff who said Dana Hooper had indicated she had killed her baby. Shortly thereafter, police arrived.

In court Tuesday, a court commissioner said she saw no excuse for Kevin Hooper's actions.

"Bad decision making is the understatement of the year. The court is extremely concerned as to any potential danger he would impose to the remaining children," Laura Florian Lau said in court Tuesday.

Dana and Kevin are not allowed to see one another or their two children, and the Waukesha County District Attorney said Dana could end up transitioning to a long-term mental health facility.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

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