Joshua Warren Hopkins has been sentenced to life in prison.

Hopkins, 29, was found guilty in a Lexington County Court of Homicide by child abuse and aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse.
The verdict stems from the death of Tayshun “Tae” Swearington, 2, on November 27, 2013.
Hopkins was sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge R. Knox McMahon following the verdict.

The child’s mother, Sabrina Haynes, lived with Hopkins in Springdale, at the time of Tae’s death. Haynes is also charged with homicide by child abuse and aiding and abetting homicide by child abuse. Her charges are currently pending.
The trial proceeded last week despite an executive order which closed Lexington County buildings due to Hurricane Matthew. Court officials received permission from the Governor’s Office to go forward with the trial. The case was prosecuted by 11th Circuit Senior Assistant Solicitor Suzanne Mayes and Assistant Solicitor Micah Caskey.
Prosecuting attorney Micah Caskey stated “It is impossible to overstate how heartbreaking this case is. I hope people pay attention to this story, from the Governor on down. This cannot be tolerated.”
During trial testimony, it was revealed that a family acquaintance made a report to Lexington County Department of Social Services on November 13, 2013, just two weeks before Tae was killed. The caller told DSS that she suspected Tae was being physically abused and that bruises had been observed. However, DSS did not pursue the case further.
Caskey stated “It’s important that people hear Tae’s story and that they demand better in South Carolina.
An autopsy revealed that Tae had numerous bruises on his 26 pound body, including injuries in various stages of healing. Bruises were documented across his legs, buttocks, hips, and arms. Medical experts determined that Tae was the victim of ongoing, repeated child physical abuse. Joshua Hopkins told investigators that Tae “fell down the stairs” the night before his death. However, medical experts testified that his injuries could not have been the result of a fall because of the pattern, location, and multitude of injuries.

Also: during trial testimony, it was revealed that a family acquaintance made a report to Lexington County Department of Social Services on November 13, 2013, just two weeks before Tae was killed. The caller told DSS that she suspected Tae was being physically abused and that bruises had been observed. However, DSS did not pursue the case further. Assistant Solicitor Caskey stated “It’s important that people hear Tae’s story and that they demand better in South Carolina.”During trial, first responders from Lexington County EMS and the Lexington County Fire Department testified that the child already had signs of rigor mortis when they arrived at the residence following a 911 call for assistance. Medical experts testified that the child had been deceased at least one hour before the arrival of EMS.

Joshua Hopkins told investigators that he had given the child a bath and then discovered him on the bathroom floor in respiratory distress. He stated that he attempted CPR and put full clothing on the child prior to the arrival of EMS. An autopsy revealed that Tae had numerous bruises on his 26 pound body, including injuries in various stages of healing. Bruises were documented across his legs, buttocks, hips, and arms. Medical experts determined that Tae was the victim of ongoing, repeated child physical abuse.

A forensic pathologist testified that Tae died from complications of child physical abuse. Tragically, doctors testified that Tae sustained numerous “defensive wounds” to his arms and hands as he attempted to shield off blows from his assailant. Tae’s death occurred 13 days before his 3rd birthday. The case was investigated by the SLED Department of Child Fatalities and the Springdale Police Department. Prosecutors Caskey and Mayes commended the efforts of law enforcement throughout the investigation: “This case is a testament to the professionalism of law enforcement – the officers conducted a thorough investigation  and built a rock-solid case. Both SLED and the Springdale Police Department have demonstrated full commitment in seeing Tae’s killer brought to justice.