Dad charged with homicide in beating death of infant daughter; human services found him no "threat" last year (Easton, Pennsylvania)

Last time we posted on this case, the baby was hospitalized but still alive. After being removed from life support, she has now passed away. Rest in peace, little Joselynn.

Joselynn's father, JOSEPH A. URQUIA has now been charged with homicide.

Once again, we see the same theme again and again. A "caretaking" or "babysitting" father who gets "frustrated" or "angry" because he can't deal with a crying baby.

Also notice that this guy was a TWO-TIME LOSER, that he had abused another infant in his care before! For that, he got probation and very likely a lot of useless therapy and classes. No doubt there were "professionals" (who, of course, will never be named in public) who ruled in their infinite wisdom that Daddy wasn't a "threat" and that he should be "allowed" to return to his children.

Now it's easy to do the knee-jerk blaming that a lot of people will do here, which is automatically blame the mother for not leaving him. But really, she's between a rock and a hard place. If she were to leave this father, he would no doubt get visitation and maybe even custody--given the testimony of the "professionals" in the previous abuse case. You know, that Daddy was contrite and had reformed himself, and all that happy horsesh**.

This is why mental health idiots need to be eliminated from the criminal justice system-- pronto. They're not smarter in predicting who is going to commit another crime than your hairdresser, your corner bartender, or your grandmother. In fact, I'd bet my money that these latter three are better judges of human nature than the vast majority of shrinks.

http://articles.mcall.com/2010-12-22/news/mc-easton-baby-murder-autopsy-20101222_1_easton-baby-district-attorney-terence-houck-autopsy

Autopsy conducted in Easton baby killing
December 22, 2010By Riley Yates and Pamela Lehman, OF THE MORNING CALL

The cause of death for an 11-week-old Easton baby who was allegedly fatally beaten by her father is pending further test results, Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim said Wednesday.

While Grim ruled Joselynn Urquia's death a homicide, he said toxicology and other medical tests still need to be completed.

Joseph A. Urquia, 21, is charged with homicide on accusations he punched Joselynn "at least two times" Sunday at their N. Seventh St. apartment. Shortly after the girl was removed from life support Tuesday at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, police arrested Urquia in the killing.

Pennsylvania permits the death penalty is cases of first-degree murder with at least one aggravating circumstance. Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli has said prosecutors need to review the autopsy's findings before determining whether to seek Urquia's execution.

On Wednesday, First Deputy District Attorney Terence Houck declined to comment about the extent of the girl's injuries until a full autopsy report is available.

According to court records filed by police, Urquia at first told investigators he had dropped Joselynn in the bathroom, but later admitted hitting her in the head because he was "frustrated and angry because the baby would not stop crying."

Urquia has a history of child abuse. Last year, he pleaded guilty to assaulting another daughter, who was 3 months old at the time, by spanking her and causing a large bruise across her buttocks. Urquia told a detective he struck the baby "out of frustration," police said.

Originally charged with felony aggravated assault, Urquia pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of simple assault, a misdemeanor. He received 18 months of probation.

Joselynn is the younger sister of the other girl and both were born to the same mother, Brenda Delacruz, who wasn't home on Sunday, authorities said.

County human services officials have declined to comment specifically on Urquia's case, citing confidentiality law. But in general, parents who complete courses and therapy are allowed to return to their children, provided professionals believe they are not a threat, human services director Ross Marcus has said.

Urquia is in Northampton County Prison without bail.