A 22-year-old Hartford man is facing a charge of homicide in the death of an 18-month old boy. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says on April 23 of 2021, the Hartford Police Department was dispatched to Watervliet Hospital on a report of an 18-month-old baby appearing with trauma due to possible child abuse. The baby lived with his mother and her boyfriend on Elmwood Street in the city of Hartford. He was airlifted to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo for emergency treatment, but did not survive. Police determined the baby had suffered blunt force trauma injuries and the cause of death was ruled murder. After a lengthy investigation, Jacob Tanner was developed as a suspect and arrested on Monday. Tanner is now charged with homicide and first degree child abuse. He was arraigned and is being held in the Van Buren County Jail without bond.
