Baby dies after life support removed; dad charged with felonious assault (Akron, Ohio)

We've posted on this case before. UNNAMED DAD has been charged with felonious assault of his infant daughter, which caused severe brain damage. Yet this POS was allowed to interfere with her medical and end-of-life decisions for months. Who says daddies have no rights? Seems to me they have PLENTY of rights. In this case, this baby continued a torturous existence for months after Daddy bashed her, just so he could avoid more serious criminal charges.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/07/18/baby-dies-after-life-support-removed.html?sid=101

Baby dies after life support removed
Sunday, July 18, 2010 02:59 AM
By Everdeen Mason

THE PLAIN DEALER

AKRON - Jada Ruiz-Jones died late Friday afternoon soon after being taken off life support with the consent of a Summit County judge.

Doctors at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron removed the 9-month-old's life support after Probate Judge William Spicer ruled that removal of the system was in the baby's best interest. Jada had severe brain damage.

Jada's mother, 19-year-old Deja Ruiz, asked the court for removal of life support.

The infant's 17-year-old father, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of felonious assault and child endangering, had fought removing the life support. He continues to be held in the county's Juvenile Justice Center.

Spicer's ruling said the father's "substantial conflict of interest" got in the way of his ability to do what was best for the infant.

The Plain Dealer is not naming the father because he is a minor.

Christine Billings, the father's legal guardian and his grandmother, said that after the ruling, her grandson's attorney, Pamela Hawkins, tried unsuccessfully to submit an emergency appeal. Hawkins could not be reached for comment.

With the death of the infant, the father could face more charges. Prosecuting Attorney Mary Ellen Leslie could not be reached yesterday.

Jada was on life support since March. She suffered from fractures as well as brain damage.