Dad charged with 1st-degree murder in death of 15-month-old son (Catoosa, Oklahoma)

Dad MARK CHRISTOPHER NICHOLS has been arrested and charged with 1st-degree murder in the death of his 15-month-old son.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=14&articleid=20110716_12_A15_ULNSbj265730
Catoosa father jailed in the murder case of his toddler son

By RHETT MORGAN World Staff Writer
Published: 7/16/2011 2:27 AM
Last Modified: 7/16/2011 7:35 AM

CATOOSA - A Catoosa man was arrested Friday on a first-degree murder complaint in the suspected child-abuse death of his 15-month-old son, police said.

Mark Christopher Nichols, 21, was being held in the Wagoner County Jail. His bail has not been set.

Maverick Nichols died from blunt force head trauma, according to a preliminary finding from the state Medical Examiner's Office, said Wagoner County Assistant District Attorney Jack Thorp.

The child had skull fractures to the back of the head and a broken rib, Thorp said.

He said authorities believe the injuries are of the "crushing" type, not those associated with a short fall.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is assisting the Catoosa Police Department on the case.

Emergency room personnel at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa alerted police to the possible child abuse Thursday night.

According to police, it was apparent to the responding officer and emergency room physicians that the child's injuries were inconsistent with the statements given by his parents.

The boy died about 4:45 a.m. Friday.

Assistant Police Chief John Blish said the injuries occurred while Nichols was changing the boy's diaper. The child was uncooperative, and Nichols reportedly lost his temper, Blish said.