Hopkins Man Accused of Malicious Punishment of 2-Year-Old
BY MN CRIME STAFF
A Hopkins man is facing felony charges after prosecutors say a 2-year-old child suffered a fractured leg and other injuries consistent with excessive punishment.
The allegations came to light in July 2025, when Eagan police were called to a home after concerns were raised about possible child maltreatment involving a young child who had been dropped off earlier that day.
Prosecutors allege the abuse occurred during multiple incidents between late June and early July 2025.
Leoul Berhany Getachew, 34, is charged in Hennepin County District Court with felony malicious punishment of a child, gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child and gross misdemeanor neglect of a child. Authorities allege he used unreasonable force or cruel discipline that resulted in substantial bodily harm and later failed to obtain necessary medical care between July 1 and July 10, 2025.
> Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter
According to the criminal complaint, the child was dropped off at a relative’s residence in Eagan by Getachew. The reporting party told police Getachew instructed that no one change the child’s diaper or apply sunscreen, which she found unusual. She also noticed the child, who previously walked at times, was only crawling.
When she attempted to pick the child up, the child cried out in pain, the court documents say. The woman reported observing bruising on the child’s thigh and said touching the leg appeared to cause significant discomfort.
Later that day, when Getachew returned with the child’s mother to pick the child up, the reporting party confronted them about the injuries. The mother told the woman to ask Getachew what happened. Getachew then acknowledged the child had received what he described as a “whooping,” according to the complaint. The pair left shortly before officers arrived.
Police requested a welfare check at the family’s Hopkins apartment later that day. A responding officer noted the child was always being held by the mother, who refused to set him down when asked, stating it was late in the day and the child was tired.
On July 7, a Hennepin County child protection investigator visited the home and required the mother to place the child down. Investigators observed the child refusing to stand and crying when not held. The child pointed to his feet when asked if something hurt, and his leg reportedly shook when he attempted to stand. Investigators also observed bruising on the thigh consistent with finger marks.
Both the mother and Getachew told investigators the injury occurred when the child fell while jumping on a small indoor trampoline. After inspecting the trampoline, the investigator reported uncertainty about how the injuries would have occurred in that manner.
Before leaving, investigators implemented a safety plan requiring the child to be taken for medical evaluation due to visible signs of pain. Medical records later obtained by law enforcement showed the child suffered a midshaft fracture of the tibia, with callus formation indicating the injury had been healing for approximately seven to 10 days.
READ MORE > Hennepin County coverage
During a follow-up visit July 9, the mother told investigators she had not witnessed the injury and said Getachew told her the child fell off the trampoline. She said she suggested seeking medical care multiple times but was told by Getachew that the child was fine. When asked if she was concerned someone had abused her son, the mother responded, “[y]es, he has a fracture,” according to the complaint.
Investigators also learned Getachew continued staying at the apartment despite an agreed safety plan requiring separation from the children while the investigation continued. Authorities noted there is now an open child protection case connected to the allegations.
Prosecutors said the case was charged by summons due to the age of the investigation, the known location of those involved and ongoing monitored conditions. A jail booking photo is not yet available.
Court records show Getachew has prior criminal convictions, including a felony first-degree DWI conviction in Hennepin County in 2015 along with multiple earlier misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor impaired-driving offenses. Records also show an active warrant connected to a traffic-related case filed in 2025.
If convicted of the felony malicious punishment charge, Getachew faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
