Custodial dad pleads not guilty in beating death of infant daughter (Lacey's Springs, Alabama)

So much of the time, you see these articles involving an abusive father severely injuring or killing a child, and there's just no mention of the mother at all. So you're left to wonder how this child ended up in this father's "care."

In this case, there is still no mention of a mother. But it is clarified--for once-- that dad CARY LEE WILBOURN had either TEMPORORY OR PERMANENT CUSTODY. A dad who in now charged with capital murder in his infant daughter's torture and beating death. A dad who seems to have a problem with law enforcement in general, since he was in jail on an "unrelated charge" when the baby finally died while on life support.

So who gave criminal daddy custody and why? What is the name of the judge or other officials who participated in this travesty of justice? Will they be held responsible for this baby's murder? (Don't hold your breath.) What happened to this baby's mother? Who stripped her of custody and why?

As a side note, also notice how "shaken baby syndrome" (abusive head trauma) is often accompanied by other signs of severe physical abuse, too.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/stories/Father-pleads-not-guiltyin-childs-beating-death,69682?content_source=&category_id=&search_filter=&event_mode=&event_ts_from=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=stories&town_id=

10/14/10
Father pleads not guilty in child’s beating death
By Sheryl Marsh

A Lacey’s Spring man has pleaded innocent to capital murder charges in the beating death of his infant daughter.

Gary Lee Wilbourn, 37, of 117 Valley St., entered the not guilty plea during an arraignment hearing Tuesday in Morgan County Circuit Court.

Circuit Judge Steve Haddock scheduled Wilbourn’s trial for Aug. 22, 2011.

A grand jury indicted Wilbourn on capital murder charges two months ago.

The indictment alleged that Wilbourn, who had temporary or permanent custody of his child, Amy Jean Wilbourn, tortured, willfully abused, cruelly beat and willfully maltreated the baby. The indictment alleged that Wilbourn grabbed, squeezed, shook and hit the child with his hands. Authorities said injuries from the alleged physical abuse caused the baby’s death.

On Dec. 19, 2008, the child experienced labored breathing and was taken to Crestwood Hospital in Huntsville. Physicians there diagnosed her with shaken baby syndrome and she was placed on life support. Doctors contacted the Sheriff’s Department and informed authorities they did not expect the baby to live. The child died Dec. 26, 2008.

The Sheriff’s Department investigated. Wilbourn was in Madison County Jail on unrelated charges when his child died and Morgan authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.

Haddock denied a motion Wilbourn’s attorney filed requesting the judge to set bond.