Custodial dad, step blame each other for deaths of two children (Mobile, Alabama)

Seems custodial dad JOHN DEBLASE and the new step are busy pointing the finger at each other. In my humble opinion, I still think Daddy is ultimately to blame for the murder of these two kids. Especially since he stripped the mother of custody, which is often prima facie evidence of an abusive father in and of itself.

Mothers are blamed for "failure to protect" all the time when the second husband or new boyfriend (who outweighs them by 75 pounds) beats the kids. Nevermind if the guy had been threatening her or beating her as well. She should have been superwoman and magically stopped him! Or at least left him. Even though everybody knows that trying to leave these jerks puts women and their kids at even greater danger.

So explain to me how Johnny couldn't have intervened if Heather were in fact the abusive one. From past news reports, we're told this woman was legally blind. You really want me to believe that this big strong guy was helpless against a little woman who could barely see? Give me a break....

http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/crime/hearing-friday-in-deblase-murder-case

Deblase, Keaton blame each other
Updated: Friday, 07 Jan 2011, 11:47 AM CST
Published : Friday, 07 Jan 2011, 7:32 AM CST

MOBILE, Alabama (WALA) - A preliminary hearing is under way in the Deblase children’s murder case. The children’s father, John Deblase, and their stepmother, Heather Keaton, appeared in court Friday morning.

The lead investigator testified she interviewed both Deblase and Keaton. She says they blamed each other for the deaths of Natalie and Chase Deblase. Both agree Natalie died on March 4, 2010 and Chase died on Father’s Day in 2010.

Keaton told investigators Deblase poisoned and killed the children. Debalse told police that Keaton mistreated the children by putting duck tape on Chase and Natalie in a suitcase.

Deblase says Keaton’s mistreatment killed the children.

The children's bodies were found in wooded areas last month. Natalie’s body was found in Citronelle and Chase’s body was found in Vancleave.

Deblase is charged with felony murder and abuse of a corpse. Keaton is facing two charges of aggravated child abuse and two charges of abuse of a corpse.

The family is holding a memorial for the children Saturday at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home on Three Notch Road. The service starts at 10 a.m.

FOX10 News Reporter John Rogers is in the coutroom and will bring you all the details here on fox10tv.com and tonight on FOX10 News at 5 p.m.