WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University police arrested a West Lafayette man early Tuesday (Sept. 1) after he allegedly injured an 11-month-old girl in the Purdue Village Apartment Complex hours earlier.

Eric M. Ellis, 19, was charged with battery resulting in bodily injury to a person younger than 14 years old and neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injuries. Ellis, who is not a Purdue student, lives at the apartment with his fiancé, who is the girl’s mother.

According to a police report, Ellis had been babysitting for the child while her mother was attending classes on Monday (Aug. 31). Ellis reportedly sent a text message at about 6:00p to the woman telling her that her child was injured. When the mother arrived home, the couple took her to Home Hospital in Lafayette.

The child’s injuries were not life threatening, but police and Child Protective Services were called to the hospital, Purdue police Sgt. Carrie Costello said.

Battery resulting in bodily injury to a person younger than 14 is a Class D felony, punishable by a maximum three years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Neglect of a dependent resulting in bodily injury is a Class C felony, punishable by up to eight years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

LAFAYETTE, Ind. -– The 4th Stopping Child Abuse Summit, originally scheduled for this Wednesday, April 8th, is being postponed until Monday, May 4, 2009 out of respect for the deaths of two advocates for children in Tippecanoe County.

The theme for the summit is “Connections Count” and the steering committee determined that with the passing of Michael Dunlop, Tippecanoe County Juvenile Probation Officer, and Doug Eberle, President & CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette, family and colleagues needed to have the opportunity to pay their respects without concern for missing this community wide conversation.

The 4th Stopping Child Abuse Summit, originally scheduled for this Wednesday, April 8th, is being postponed until Monday, May 4, 2009 out of respect for the deaths of two advocates for children in Tippecanoe County.

“We are deeply saddened by these losses” said Pam Biggs Reed, chair of the Our Kids are Our Community collaboration which is sponsoring the summit. “Both Michael and Doug were dedicated to creating connections for the benefit of children and youth.”

Those registered for the Summit, but unable to attend the rescheduled May 4th date may send someone in their place, donate the registration fee to support next year’s summit, or request a refund.

The 4th Annual Stopping Child Abuse Summit is designed to help build connections to better improve the lives of children and families in our community.

The new event details for the 4th Annual Stopping Child Abuse Summit are as follows:

Rescheduled Date: Monday, May 4th, 2009
Time: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Location: Christ United Methodist Church, CR 350 S and S. 18th Street, Lafayette, IN
Cost: $25.00 (includes boxed lunch)

For registration questions or concerns, call Jillian Miller at 765-413-6049 or e-mail jmiller@uw.lafayette.in.us