"Primary caregiver" dad charged with murder for the death of 4-month-old son (Mount Vernon, Indiana)

Once again, we have a dad--in this case TIMOTHY ALEXANDER LEAR--who was serving as the "primary caretaker" while Mom was forced to work. And once again, we have a murdered infant.

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2011/feb/18/no-headline---19a00xlear-brf/

Timothy Alexander Lear charged, denied bond in son's slaying
By Mark Wilson
Evansville Courier & Press
Posted February 18, 2011 at 11:36 p.m.

A Mount Vernon, Ind., father accused in the death of his 4-month-old son has been formally charged with murder and ordered a held without bond.

MOUNT VERNON, Ind. — Timothy Alexander Lear, the Mount Vernon man accused in the death of his 4-month-old son, has been formally charged with murder and ordered held without bond.

Posey Circuit Judge James Redwine found probable cause to charge Lear at an initial court hearing Friday morning, and appointed attorney William Gooden to represent him, Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers said.

Lear, 23, also is facing charges of neglect of a dependent resulting in death and battery resulting in death.

He is scheduled to next appear in court on March 14.

The charges stem from Bryson James Clardy's death on Monday at Deaconess Gateway Hospital shortly after the child arrived there. Police arrested Lear on Wednesday after an autopsy that morning prompted officials to rule the infant's death a homicide.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Lear dialed 911 about 7:20 p.m. Monday to report his son's nose was bleeding and that he was not breathing.

When Mount Vernon Fire Department personnel arrived at the Valley Green Apartments, Apt. 53, they found the child was not breathing and that his fingernails and lips were bluish, the affidavit said.

Lear called 911 about an hour before the child's mother, Maggie Clardy, was to return from her work, according to the affidavit, which also said Lear was the primary caregiver for the child during that time.