FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski, 989.269.9255
Bad Axe, Michigan – August 14, 2025 – On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, a Huron County jury found 77-year-old Russell Alexander Kopah of Pigeon guilty of Fourth-Degree Child Abuse for placing Murphy’s concentrated floor cleaner into the mouth and on the face of a three-year-old child at a Bad Axe store. The jury acquitted Kopah of a separate charge of witness intimidation, which alleged he threatened the eyewitness three weeks later.
Case Summary
The child abuse occurred on July 8, 2024, at the Bad Axe Walmart, where Kopah was shopping with the child and the child’s mother in the photo department.
Testimony and video evidence showed that Kopah opened a bottle of Murphy’s concentrated floor cleaner, dipped his finger inside, placed it in the child’s mouth, and rubbed the cleaner on the child’s face. A store employee witnessed the act, and contacted law enforcement.
The jury also heard testimony that three weeks later, Kopah returned to the store, told the witness “You’re the snitch,” and then allegedly made a threat against the witness.
The bottle of Murphy’s cleaner had a warning label on it to keep the bottle out of the reach of children and if it was ingested to drink water and then seek medical assistance.
Prosecution Evidence
Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Wallace presented testimony from three key witnesses:
- A Walmart sales associate who testified that a short time after engaging with the child, saw Kopah apply the cleaner to the child’s face. He even noticed the liquid running down the boy’s face, dripping from his nose after the assault.
- The Walmart Loss Prevention Manager presented security footage showing Kopah removing the cleaner from the cart, opening it, dipping his finger inside, and applying it to the boy’s face. It was then possible to see the child wiping his face with his arm.
- Detective Sgt. Derek Joy, Bad Axe Police Department, testified about the ensuing investigation after police were alerted.
Defense Testimony
Kopah testified in his own defense, denying that he placed cleaner on the child, that he was just implying it. Regarding the alleged intimidation, he denied making a threat inside the store but admitted that when the witness followed him outside [to identify the defendant’s vehicle], he threatened to run him over, stating he was “old school” and not speaking rhetorically.
The jury found Kopah not guilty of the Witness Intimidation charge.
Next Steps
Sentencing is scheduled for Monday, October 27, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. before the Honorable Gerald M. Prill. Fourth-Degree Child Abuse is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail. Kopah remains free on bond pending sentencing.
Statement from Prosecutor Rutkowski
“This verdict is a reminder of our solemn duty to protect the most vulnerable members of our community—our children,” said Prosecutor Tim Rutkowski. “We are committed to ensuring that those who harm children face the consequences of their actions under the law.”
