Dad faces manslaughter in death of infant son (Plymouth, Indiana)

Dad ROBERTO PEDRAZA JR. has been arrested on charges related to battery resulting in death, neglect of a dependent, and voluntary manslaughter. His 2-month-old son died from severe internal and brain injuries.

Typical scenario. Mom was working, while Daddy played at "caregiver" (read: unemployed babysitter) at the time of the "incident."

How many babies are going to have to die in this exact same scenario before we stop using aggressive young men as "caregivers" while forcing the poor Mamas of tiny babies into being the main breadwinners--all because Daddy won't get off his @$$ and get a job?

In Indiana alone, just in news accounts from the past month, there have been a frightening number of children killed or severely injured by their daddies.

Over in South Bend, VALENTIN ESCOBEDO is charged with battery in the death of his 2-year-old daughter.

Over in Anderson, JUSTIN SHEETS is charged with beating his 3-month-old son.

And in Lafayette, MATTHEW T. SCHULZ, a self-described "primary caretaker," pleaded guilty to neglect of a dependent. His infant daughter sufffered abusive head trauma and appears to have lifelong disabities as a result. Yes, Mama was working in this case, too.
A generation ago, all that young energy would have been channeled into something productive, like making steel or building roads. Now it's used to destroy children.
Go to the Indiana tab below for more information.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20100120/News01/100129968/0/Lives
January 20. 2010 11:33AM

UPDATE: Walkerton man faces manslaughter in death of infant son
Tribune Staff Report

PLYMOUTH — A Walkerton man faces felony charges in the death of his 2-month-old son.

Plymouth police arrested 19-year-old Roberto Pedraza Jr. on Saturday after his infant son, Roberto Pedraza III, was admitted Friday to St. Joseph Regional Hospital with severe internal and brain injuries.

Because of the extent of the injuries, the infant was transferred to Riley Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, where doctors said the injuries were caused by another person.

The baby died Monday night.

According to Plymouth Detective Sgt. Leo Mangus, Pedraza Jr. was the caregiver at the time of the incident, while the 21-year-old mother, of Plymouth, was at work.

The elder Pedraza was originally booked for aggravated battery and neglect charges. However, prosecutors increased the charges to battery resulting in death, neglect of a dependant and voluntary manslaughter.