A Newberry man was charged Friday in the death of his seven-month-old son.

Ronald Jackson Padgett Jr., 31, of 333 Player St., Newberry, was charged with homicide by child abuse.

Ronald Padgett was arrested shortly after his son’s death on May 5 and was being held as a fugitive from justice on Kentucky charges that he failed to pay child support.

Isaiah Russell Ray Padgett was pronounced dead at Newberry Memorial Hospital on May 5.

Coroner Craig Newton says he and Newberry Police Captain Chuck Counts have been working on the case day and night since the death.

“Thankfully we were able to speak for the child,“ said Newton.

The official cause of death is not being released pending continuation of the case, said Newton.

But Counts says the child “died at the hands of“ Ronald Padgett.

The child also had prior injuries to his right clavicle, which had been fractured and a fractured skull.

The child’s injuries were “maybe a month or better,“ old said Counts.

Police are continuing to investigate possible prior acts of child abuse and the case is on-going, Counts said this morning.

Two older children have both been removed from the home and were placed into the custody of the Department of Social Services on the day of the death.

The mother was reportedly at work when the death occurred.

Counts added that the child support charges stem from another child fathered by Ronald Padgett.

However, Counts said a criminal check does not reveal any previous counts of child abuses being filed against Ronald Padgett.

Due to Ronald Padgett being charged with homicide a bond hearing will be held at a later date by a circuit court judge due the charge carrying a life sentence.