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Babysitter charged with murder appears in court

Posted at 1:08 PM, Jul 31, 2013
and last updated 2013-07-31 13:08:30-04

STAFFORD, Va. (WTVR) -- The man charged with first degree murder in connection with the death of a 17-month-old child he was babysitting appeared in Stafford County Circuit Court Wednesday morning.

Duc Chau faces four felony charges stemming from an incident in July at an apartment complex in Stafford County.  Chau told police the child he was watching fell on a tile floor and hit his head.  The boy died at VCU Medical Center two days later.

Investigators later presented evidence to a special grand jury based on the extent of the child's injuries.  The grand jury indicated Chau.

Chau does not speak English, and a Vietnamese translator was in court Wednesday to assist with the proceedings.

After the hearing, Chau's interpreter said the hearing went by the books.

In court, Chau said he has a wife and two children.  Chau is not employed, and his wife supports the family, he said.

A circuit court judge assigned Chau an attorney with the public defenders office, though Chau said he plans on hiring his own lawyer.

Court documents filed about the incident were sealed, according to online court records.

Chau's next court appearance is Aug. 15 at 9 a.m.

RELATED: Neighbors shocked after babysitter is charged with murdering child