Dad charged with murder, aggravated child abuse in beatings of two children during visitation (Panama City, Florida)

Dad THOMAS EVERETT BROWN IV is facing an open count of murder and one charge of aggravated child abuse in the beating of his two children. Notice that the mother and father do not live together (in fact live in different towns), so this case must involve custody/visitation--though the reporter fails to spell this out clearly. But who the hell gave a father with this criminal record (three previous battery charges) any custodial/visitation rights at all?

Posted: 5:45 PM Aug 9, 2010

http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/100304929.html

Panama City Man Allegedly Abuses Children, Kills One
A Panama City man is facing an open count of murder and one charge of aggravated child abuse after he allegedly beat his two children.
Reporter: Erica Rakow
Email Address: erica.rakow@wjhg.com


A Panama City man is facing an open count of murder and one charge of aggravated child abuse after he allegedly beat his two children.

Panama City Police became aware of the case around noon Saturday, when Gulf Coast Medical center staff informed them of a 20-month old dead child.

Investigators questioned the child's father, Thomas Everett Brown IV. Brown had initially told 911 operators the boy had fallen off the couch and was injured.

"Police say when EMS arrived here at this house, they transported the 20 month old to the hospital where the child was pronounced dead and they found the 7 month old sleeping in a back bedroom," said Deputy Chief Robert Colbert.

Police took statements from Brown on Saturday. They continued gathering evidence, then arrested him Sunday after autopsy reports contradicted his statements.

Investigators say Brown is not willing to provide specific details about the events leading up to the alleged abuse, but clues show the child got sick on the couch.

“The child may have vomited on the living room furniture in the 24 hours preceding the child's death and it's possible that may have been what triggered this series of events," said Colbert.

Doctors also found signs of physical abuse on Brown's 7 month old daughter. She be turned over to the department of children and families.

The child's mother, who lives in Chipley, has been notified. We spoke to a maintenance worker at Brown's mobile home park who says Brown had just moved in a few weeks ago and appeared to be a quiet guy. Brown is currently employed as a BP contractor.

He has an arrest history in Washington County for aggravated battery on a pregnant woman in 2008, but that charge was reduced to battery. In 2009, he spent three months in jail for another battery charge and in 2010, Brown was involved in a battery case that was dropped at the victim's request. He now faces an aggravated child abuse charge and an open count of murder.