Dad murders mom during visitation exchange (Toledo, Ohio)

This is where father promotion has taken us, friends. Dad JEREMY GALLANT had just been released from jail, and was living at his mom's house. Why does he need visitation with a 2-year-old toddler and a 9-month-old infant? He doesn't. Nevertheless, visitation was arranged. Court-ordered? Mother's discretion? Either way, fathers rights-inspired exaltation has told us for many years that All Daddies are Precious and All Children Need a Father--and that it doesn't matter if Daddy is a dangerous, violent man. So the mother puts herself in harm's way so the kids (babies, really) can "stay" with Daddy. And Daddy repays her kindness by stabbing her with a screwdriver in the next room. And now, two weeks later, Mom is dead and two babies are motherless.

When are we ever going to prioritize the safety and well being of women over the rights of felon daddies?

http://morningjournal.com/articles/2011/06/15/news/mj4674755.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Mother of two dies after screwdriver attack Published: Wednesday, June 15, 2011

By ALLISON STROUSE
astrouse@MorningJournal.com

TOLEDO — Maria Vera, 22, the mother of two small children, was taken off life support and died yesterday morning, almost two weeks after being stabbed with a screwdriver by her estranged husband, according to the Erie County Sheriff’s Department.

Vera died at 4:30 a.m. at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo.

Vera’s family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil in Norwalk yesterday evening. Bonnie Verhoff, 22, of Vermilion, was best friends with Vera, she commented on how amazing she was.

“She would do anything for her friends,” she said. Her best times were during their ‘mommy nights out,’ in which they would meet up for margaritas and talk about their lives.

“Any time with her was always awesome,” she said.

Vera’s step-mother, Beverly Vera, who is currently taking care of Vera’s two small children, was at the vigil along with those who knew and loved her.

“She was a very loved person,” Beverly Vera said. “She liked being with her friends and her babies”

Every minute she was with Maria was a treasured one, she said.

“I’m going to miss her beautiful face and smile,” Beverly Vera said.

To her friends and family, Vera was a loving and sweet girl who had a bright future ahead of her as she was starting to attend classes online.

“She was studying for a bright future,” Heather Tackett, Vera’s cousin said.

Her husband, Jeremy Gallant, 26, of Berlin Heights, had been staying at the home of his mother after being released from jail. On June 1, Vera was dropping off their two children to stay with their father when Gallant took her into another room to talk and then attacked her with a screwdriver, according to deputies.

Gallant has been charged with attempted aggravated murder, felonious assault and tampering with evidence.

Gallant has been taken back to jail to finish serving an 11-month sentence he began in March. It appeared he was granted early release, and on May 24, he was freed from the jail, said Capt. Paul Sigsworth of the Erie County Sheriff’s office.

A benefit dinner has been planned to help with Vera’s medical bills and the care of her children, 2-year-old J.J. and 9-month-old Corina.

The benefit dinner is set for June 26 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Back Bar Pavilion at the Rolling Acres Golf Course. Donations are $15 per person or $20 per couple, a 50/50 raffle and games will also take place at the dinner.

Monetary donations are being accepted at PNC banks under the Maria Vera’s Fight for Life fund. The family is also accepting donations of diapers (size 3 and 5), formula (Similac Advance/ blue cap/ label) and clothing for the children.