Custodial dad, gal pal, third party accused of "borderline torture"; mom "nowhere in the picture" (Lawrenceburg, Tennessee)

It appears the custodial dad, NICHOLAS LEE DANIELS, his gal pal (who is accused of being the "ring leader"), and a third party (whose role is unclear) are charged with felony child abuse that is being called "borderline torture."

Notice that the media reports that "the real mother is nowhere in the picture" but says nothing more than that. I understand that it's possible that the mother was unfit or walked away on her own, but I'd like to see confirmation of that. Not just a hearsay insinuation. Whenever you see an abusive father like gain custody (from whom and how?), it's important to know the context. Do we even know the mother is alive? Did she disappear under "mysterious" circumstances? Was she denied visitation by a court? If so, why? Or did the father just manage to isolate the kids and shut off contact on his own? This is very common with abusers.

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/15372680/grandmother-flags-grandkids-abuse

Three Arrested In Shocking Child Abuse Case
Posted: Aug 31, 2011 10:27 PM CDT
Updated: Sep 01, 2011 1:13 PM CDT

by Brent Frazier

LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. - A veteran police officer and investigator of child abuse says the case he's currently working isn't only evidence of abuse, it's borderline torture.

"It's enough to make a person cry," said Captain Don Laws with the Lawrenceburg Police Department. "It brought tears to my eyes."

The alleged 20-minute brawl between a 4-year-old boy and his 5-year-old sister was all caught on videotape.

Police said the video was a crucial piece of evidence the district attorney general's office won't release until after the criminal trial against the suspects, Tabitha Jane Sims, 25, of Hohenwald; Nicholas Lee Daniels, 23, of Hohenwald; and Marieta Evon Cody, 30, of Lawrenceburg.

Sims, Daniels and Cody are each charged with two counts of felony child abuse.

The alleged episode was videotaped by a teenage female family member who was also inside Cody's house last Saturday.

The young children's grandmother, Frances, told NewsChannel 5 reporter Brent Frazier that she long suspects the were being abused. Frances said it was Tabitha Sims, the girlfriend of the two kids' biological father, who was the ringleader in the torment on the children.

"I just saw Tabitha holding the little girl down, pulling her hair, and telling my little boy, 'This is the way you do it! This is the way you do it,'" Frances recalled from viewing the tape.

The two children were taken into the custody of the Department of Children's Services. Officials said their biological father was in jail, while their real mother was nowhere in the picture.

Frances said she had no regret about reporting the alleged abuse. She said she'd do it again, even if it meant causing a rift among her family.

Lawrenceburg Police said they video provided tangible evidence in the criminal case, and would be tough for the defendants to argue against.