Dad accused of choking 3-year-old daughter during domestic assault on mother; child abducted but found safe (Des Moines, Iowa)

Dad COREY DEAN COMEGYS seems to have a history of violence against the mother of his daughter, given that Mom had spent the night previous to this most recent assault at the "Family Violence Center." Dad allegedly grabbed mom by the throat while she was trying to sleep and then tried to take off with the 3-year-old daughter. He then punched Mom in the face while she struggled with him. During the struggle, Dad also grabbed the child by the throat causing her to gasp for air as well. The child wasn't recovered until the next day--Dad had apparently dumped her with relatives (these guys NEVER keep the kids for father-child together time. In every case of a violent paternal abduction I have seen, the father either dumped the kids with relatives or friends or killed them).

Something is a little off with this case. I get the creepy feeling that dad is getting some coaching from "low places." Like when dad yelled "No rights, you bitch. You won't get her back," as he was taking off with the child. That's an odd thing to say, unless Dad had been hearing a lot about "rights" from certain persons or websites. Otherwise, his language would have been more direct and emotional, and not evoking somebody's rights or lack of rights.

And counter-accusing the woman of attacking? Classic defense playbook move that most batterers wouldn't think of on the spur of the moment. Hmm. Frankly, I would be investigating any possible links Dad may have had to fathers rights groups in Iowa or on the Internet, because I'm seeing their fingerprints all over on this one. Could be wrong, but it's a strong hunch right now.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20090910/NEWS/90910005/-1/NEWS04

Update: Child in Des Moines endangerment case is safe
TOM ALEX TALEX@DMREG.COM • September 10, 2009

A three-year-old Des Moines girl who allegedly was taken from her mother's arms in a domestic assault on Wednesday has been found. Police say she is safe and apparently uninjured.

The child's father, Corey Dean Comegys, 29, is accused of choking three-year-old Keeriannah Comegys, causing the child to gasp for air.

Police said he took the child from her mother, Lisa Wilson, 36, as Wilson was desperately trying to hang on to the car Comegys was driving. It dragged her until she finally fell off the car.

Comegys turned himself in to police later on Wednesday, but officials had not located Keeriannah by early this morning. Detective James Keller said the child was located later in the morning. She was safe and in the care of relatives.

He said, "She seems to be O.K., but we'll have her checked out by a doctor because she was involved in an altercation."

A police report says as Comegys was leaving on Wednesday, he shouted, "No rights, you bitch. You won't get her back." Officers checked with Wilson about 8 a.m., today and learned that Keeriannah still has not been returned to her.

They started looking for her, eventually finding her with relatives.

The story began about 2:30 p.m., on Wednesday at Wilson's residence, 1340 Pleasant View Drive in Des Moines. Officers said Wilson was taking a nap with Keeriannah "after a long night staying at the Family Violence Center." She said she was in bed with an arm over her daughter when she was grabbed by the throat.

Wilson said she was tossed aside and Comegys grabbed Keeriannah by an arm, jerking her out of bed.

The police report says: "Lisa tried to grab her daughter and was punched by Corey in the face. Lisa said she was able to get her daughter away from Corey and held her tight in her arms.

"Lisa said Corey grabbed Keeriannah by the throat causing the baby to gasp for air and cry out."
The report says that as Comegys tried to leave the house with the child, Wilson jumped on his back. He walked to a car carrying the child with Wilson still hanging on.

"When Corey got to the car he tossed Keeriannah into the passengers seat very hard," police said. "When Corey got in Lisa tried to climb over him to get her kid. Lisa said Corey slammed her head in the car door and took off, dragging her."

The report says, "Lisa then fell off the car." She returned to the house and called police. Officers took photographs of her injuries, which included swelling of the face, several cuts to her right leg and various scrapes and bruises.

Detective Keller said the Iowa Department of Human Services is helping in the investigation.

The detective said Comegys claims Wilson attacked him.