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A judge has denied a defense motion to suppress statements made by Cameron Carper, who faces charges related to the death of an infant in Natural Bridge last year.
Carper, the boyfriend of the infant’s mother, Julia Hostetter, was interviewed by investigators at a hospital on Nov. 24, 2023, after the infant was brought in unresponsive. His defense argued that statements made during these interviews should be inadmissible, claiming Carper was effectively in custody without being read his Miranda rights and believed he was not free to leave.
Senior investigator Travis Patterson with the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, who conducted the interviews, testified at a hearing Nov. 19 that the discussions followed standard protocol for investigating sudden unexplained infant deaths. Patterson said Carper was not restrained, was told he was free to leave, and was treated with compassion. During the interviews, police obtained warrants to collect Carper’s blood and phone for evidence.
The defense argued that Carper’s movements were restricted and that the seizure of his phone and blood created an environment of custodial restraint. The commonwealth countered that the interview was neutral, familiar, and non-coercive, citing case precedent to support their position.
Judge Christopher P. Russell ruled that Carper was not in custody during the interviews and that Miranda warnings were not required. The motion to suppress was overruled, and the case will proceed to a pretrial hearing on Jan. 7, 2025.
