Custodial dad to appear in court for murder of 7-year-old son (Anderson, South Carolina)

One reason the general public is not aware of the higher risk of child abuse and homicide with custodial fathers: Abusive and even deadly custodial fathers are typically rendered invisible in the media, and their custodial status is seldom discussed or constently acknowledged. In fact, the only reason I KNOW that JAMES DICKERSON was a custodial father is that I just happened to remember this horrifying case. A father with "full custody" beating his 7-year-old son to death with a metal mop handle. It's kind of hard to forget, even if you want to. I first reported on the case in July here:

http://dastardlydads.blogspot.com/2009/07/custodial-dad-beats-7-year-old-son-to.html

http://www.independentmail.com/news/2010/mar/03/dickerson-appear-court-thursday/

Dickerson to appear in court Thursday
By Liz Carey
Posted March 3, 2010 at 6:17 p.m. , updated March 3, 2010 at 6:17 p.m.

ANDERSON — James Dickerson, charged with homicide by child abuse, will appear before Judge Cordell Maddox Thursday afternoon.

Dickerson, 41, of Easley, was arrested Nov. 28, 2008, the Friday after Thanksgiving, and charged with homicide by child abuse and criminal child neglect or abuse of his son, 7-year-old Jeremy Dickerson.

Emergency workers found Jeremy dead after his father called 911 saying the child would not wake up.

Catherine Huey of the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office said Jeremy had been beaten to death with a metal mop handle.

On July 15, Judge J.C. “Buddy” Nicholson denied bond for Dickerson. At that time, prosecutors said they were awaiting the results of test on DNA evidence from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, on which the case would center.

Nicholson said Dickerson could reapply for bond once the test results from SLED were completed by the solicitor’s office.