An emotionally charged alleged murder case that shook the community will be heard by a local grand jury following a preliminary hearing held in Clinton District Court in December.

Emmanual Fluter, 33, appeared before Clinton District Judge Mike Lawson.

The defendant is charged in connection with the death of three-year-old Josephine Bulubenchi, the suspect’s niece, who died December 9 at Kentucky Children’s Hospital. The child’s throat had been cut during the incident which occurred at the family home the previous day.

Judge Lawson found probable cause to waive the case to the Clinton County Grand Jury.

According to reports, evidence presented included the interview with the Emergency Room doctor, who allegedly said the child was cut from right to left and that the knife went through the child’s larynx and exposed the spine, with visible cut marks to the vertebrae as well.

Fluter was initially charged with two counts of first degree assault and four counts of wanton endangerment, as reportedly four other children were in the room when the incident occurred.

The charges were upgraded following the child’s death.

According to police, the girl’s father apparently heard the attack on the baby monitor. When he went into the room, he was also cut and injured by Fluter before he found his daughter.

Fluter is currently incarcerated on a half-million dollar cash only bond. He is being represented by Attorney Brad Shuffett with the Department of Public Advocacy.