Published: November 21, 2008 10:18 pm      

Father charged in N.C. with death of toddler

A man has been charged in connection with the death of his 23-month-old son Ellijah Burger, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Andre Earl Hampton, age and hometown unavailable, is alleged to have beaten the child in a west Charlotte, N.C., hotel room on Nov. 11.

The child’s great-grandmother and great-grandfather live in Beckley.

Police said the child was found unresponsive at the AARCS Suites on South Tryon Street. When officers arrived at the extended-stay hotel, the child was not breathing, according to the investigating officer’s report.

Police think the child suffered blunt force trauma to the head. He died before arriving at the hospital.

According to a news report in the Charlotte Observer, Hampton had been arrested previously on charges of beating the mother, although they were later dropped because of insufficient evidence.

Allegedly, Hampton had beaten his girlfriend Lashinna Burger months before the death while she was pregnant.

Lashinna Burger could not be reached for comment and Hampton is in jail with no bond.

Police said a May 9 restraining order pointed to a fight that sent Lashinna Burger to the hospital and Hampton to jail.

Hamtpon “fractured my arm and abused my stomach. I have papers for proof,” Burger wrote in her request for a restraining order. “He fractured my arms. He throws things at me (pillows), he calls me a (expletive) all the time. He does things to make me want to hit him first so that he can hit me in return.”

The restraining order also accused Hampton of abusing drugs, according to the newspaper’s report.

The Charlotte newspaper stated it was unclear what happened after the restraining order was issued.

“But neighbors said the pair and their two children were living in the AARCS Residence Suites ...,” the newspaper said. “They’d been staying there for close to two months. Other residents said they’d never seen any family troubles.”

Ellijah’s obituary was published in The Register-Herald on Friday. It said the child liked to dance, sing and watch “Sponge Bob.” He was also described as very friendly and that he always had a smile on his face.

His funeral is set for noon today at St. Paul Baptist Temple, 129 Rice St. in Beckley.

— E-mail: fpace@register-herald.com