Dad charged with DUI in crash that killed 10-year-old son (Anderson, South Carolina)

Notice that we have mention here of dad JOEY KELLEY, who has been charged with DUI and child endangerment, the 10-year-old son who was killed in the car wreck, and the fairly forgiving (paternal?) grandmother. There is NO mention of Mom. Why? Is is she dead? Alive? Is this a single dad? If so, how and why did he get custody?

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT.

http://www.independentmail.com/news/2011/mar/17/father-charged-anderson-county-wreck-killed-his-10/

Father charged in Anderson County wreck that killed his 10-year-old son
By Nikie Mayo
Anderson Independent Mail
Posted March 17, 2011 at 4:57 p.m.

ANDERSON — An Upstate father was charged Thursday afternoon with driving drunk during the Anderson County wreck that killed his 10-year-old son.

Joey Kelley, 32, of Inman, was released from AnMed Health Medical Center on Thursday, and by that afternoon, was booked at the Anderson County jail.

Authorities from the South Carolina Highway Patrol believe that alcohol was a factor in the February wreck on Liberty Highway that killed Kelley’s young son, Keelan Odom.

Keelan was a fourth-grader at Crosswell Elementary School in Easley who wanted to grow up and play football for Clemson University. Instead, he died on Feb. 27.

The closest tangible reminder that his grandmother has of the boy who called her Nana is the urn in her home that holds his ashes.

Lance Cpl. Bill Rhyne of the South Carolina Highway Patrol said Keelan’s father, Kelley, faces a felony charge of driving under the influence in an accident involving death and a separate charge of child endangerment.

“I’m relieved,” said Keelan’s grandmother, Pat Cantrell of Williamston. “I don’t hate Joey; that doesn’t do any good and it doesn’t bring Keelan back. But I was worried that he would not get punished or charged, and I believe there should be consequences for the death of our sweet little boy.”

Kelley’s Jeep was broadsided by a sport utility vehicle on Liberty Highway and flipped. Kelley and his son were not wearing seat belts, according to the State Highway Patrol, and were thrown from the Jeep.

The driver of the SUV was Kevin Kelley, who is not related to Keelan or his father. He was treated for minor injuries after the wreck and released from the hospital.

Joey Kelley was severely injured, and spent several days at the hospital in serious condition before his health improved. When he was physically able to be released from the hospital Thursday, troopers were waiting to charge him.

Kelley’s driving record from the S.C. Department of Motor Vehicles shows that he has been previously convicted of driving under the influence and has had his license suspended. His record says that in 2007, Kelley completed an “alcohol and drug safety action program.”

Cantrell said she has not seen or spoken to her grandson’s father since the accident.

“It’s hard on all of us,” she said. “I cry every day.”

Kelley is expected to have a bond hearing Friday morning.