Bond hearing set for a Seneca man accused of killing baby

SENECA, S.C. - A South Carolina man charged in the death of his 5-month-old daughter is scheduled to have a bond hearing.
   
Solicitor Chrissy Adams says 22-year-old Matthew Taylor Hinton of Seneca is appearing before a judge Friday in Walhalla.
   
Hinton has been in jail since he was arrested last month and charged with homicide by child abuse. Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis says Brianna R. Bright of Seneca died at a Greenville hospital from a head injury.
   
Emergency personnel were called when the girl was found unresponsive.
   
If convicted, Hinton could face life in prison. It was unclear if he had an attorney.

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Seneca Police have arrested a young father, accusing him of beating his 5 month old daughter to death. 

Investigators say they arrested 22 year old Matthew Taylor Hinton, Thursday, and was silent as he was put into a police car and taken to the Oconee Detention Center. 

Police say the incident happened at the apartment Hinton shared with the child’s mother on Northwoods Drive in Seneca.  Neighbors noticed the child, Brianna Bright, as a sweet spirit.  “She has the most big beautiful blue eyes, and was a very happy baby,“ says Kimberly Stanfel.  “She looked like she was very well taken care of.“

But officers tell a different story.  According to reports, Hinton called 911 Sunday, saying the baby wasn’t breathing. 

Brianna died of closed head injuries two days later at Greenville Memorial Hospital.  Investigators say it was clear it was no accident. 

“It was very obvious,“ says Police Chief John Covington.  “Based on the timeline when the injuries occurred, the only person who had care and custody of child was the biological father.“

The Chief says there is no evidence the baby was abused before.  That leaves neighbors like Stanfel wondering what went wrong.  “I didn’t think they could ever do that.  I mean, they love their baby and she was so happy,“ she says.  “That’s usually not a sign of a child that’s been treated badly.“
 
Hinton is scheduled to have a first appearance before a judge Friday morning.