Father "in custody dispute" kills 5-year-old son (Columbia County, New York)

Dad FRANKLIN HANKERSON shot his 5-year-old son dead before taking himself out. We're told there was a "custody dispute" (code for Dad trying to minimize child's time with mother, most likely to minimize or eliminate child support). I can see why the mother had concerns. We have an unemployed pothead father who was NEVER MARRIED to the boy's mother, a dad who very likely had a previous history of violence or violent threats. And the guy made good on them, too. So can we concede in retrospect that the mother's concerns were right? It's just horribly sad and frustrating that no one can admit that a mother's instincts were correct until somebody ends up dead.

This is the kind of case that proves what advocates for abused children have been saying for years: often it's the most violent and abusive fathers who are pushing for additional custodial rights, and for their own dark and demented reasons. Not because they want "quality time." I wonder if this murder took place during court-ordered visitation? The article doesn't say, but it wouldn't surprise me.

http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/04/08/blotter/doc4bbd594c73b43358151159.txt
Father kills 5-year-old son, self in Columbia County
Published: Thursday, April 08, 2010

By Freeman staff and The Associated Press

ANCRAMDALE — A 42-year-old man apparently killed his 5-year-old son with a shotgun and then took his own life, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office said on Wednesday.

Sheriff David W. Harrison Jr. said deputies were called to 9715 state Route 82 in the southeastern Columbia County community of Ancramdale about 9:30 a.m. and found Franklin Hankerson and his son Khaliff dead from gunshot wounds.

The boy was shot several times with a shotgun, authorities said; the father appeared to have died from a rifle shot.

Harrison said it appeared the two deaths were a murder-suicide but that the investigation was not yet complete.

Investigators believe the shootings took place about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police were notified about the deaths in a 911 call Wednesday morning from the boy’s grandfather, who lives next door, Harrison said.

Autopsies were to be performed today.

Harrison said Hankerson was unemployed and undergoing kidney dialysis.

The sheriff also said Hankerson and the boy’s mother were not married and did not live together and that there had been custody disputes. The mother also complained about Hankerson’s marijuana use, Harrison said.

The Register-Star of Hudson reported the mother lives in Pine Plains and Khaliff attended a Dutchess County preschool.

Hankerson did not leave a suicide note, the sheriff said.