Custodial dad arrested for beating death of 18-month-old son (New Roads, Louisiana)

Can somebody explain to me why dad AARON BOWMAN JR. was given "temporary custody" of his 18-month-old son and 2-year-old daughter? What nitwit backwoods judge made that decision?

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20091201/NEWS01/312010060

New Roads man arrested in death of his child
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • December 1, 2009

NEW ROADS, La. — New Roads police have arrested the father of an 18-month-old boy after the toddler was found beaten to death at his grandmother’s house last week.

New Roads Police Capt. Mark Munson told The Advocate of Baton Rouge that 28-year-old Aaron Bowman was booked into the Pointe Coupee Parish Prison Friday on one count of first-degree murder.

Munsun said Bowman had temporary custody of Aaron Bowman Jr., the toddler, as well as his 2-year-old daughter.

Munson said an autopsy showed that one of the toddler’s legs was broken and he had been hit with the palm of a fist on his head, his stomach and his back.

He said the toddler died from internal bleeding.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Bowman has an attorney.