Custodial dad, gal pal arrested in severe beating of 3-year-old; mom's status not known (Rankin County, Mississippi)

Sad to say, but this article reports this crime better than most. At least we see it clarified that the girlfriend is NOT the baby's mother. And rather than leave the mother's existence a mystery, at least we admit we don't who or where she is. Most of the time the media just maintains a bizarre silence about the mom.

Here's my suggestion. Abuser dads like STEPHEN MCGEE are very often formerly abusive partners. When the mom finally leaves them, they frequently become intent on stripping the mom of custody as "punishment" for leaving their sorry @$$. This is either enforced through personal threats, the courts, or both.

In a few cases, Mom "disappears" under mysterious circumstances--simply meaning that somebody (Dad) hid the body well.

So maybe we should investigate further?

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20111019/NEWS01/110190335/Tot-severely-injured-couple-held

Tot severely injured; couple held
Boy, 3, suffers multiple fractures, bleeding in brain
10:51 PM, Oct. 18, 2011

Written by Dustin Barnes

A toddler removed from a Rankin County home remains hospitalized with multiple broken bones, and the couple accused of inflicting the injuries will hear the evidence against them during a preliminary hearing Oct. 25 in Circuit Court.

The child's father, Stephen Magee, and Magee's live-in girlfriend, Rebecca Harrell, are charged with multiple counts of felony child abuse.

They each could face a life sentence if convicted on any of the 14 counts of abuse against the 3-year-old, District Attorney Michael Guest said.

Magee, 29, and Harrell, 28, will remain in Rankin County jail without bond at least until the hearing, Guest said.

Sheriff Ronnie Pennington said he has seen numerous cases of severely beaten children in his nearly 30-year law enforcement career.

"This is probably at the top of the list," said Pennington of the 3-year-old's numerous injuries.

The toddler's injuries included fractured ribs, a fractured collarbone and a broken pelvis. Additionally, the child had bleeding of the brain, believed to have been caused by abuse.

"The child was originally in critical condition and on a ventilator when he was admitted to the hospital last week," Guest said. "The child is still in the hospital but in better condition and off the ventilator."

Guest said his office is waiting on additional medical reports and information to arrive before Tuesday's hearing. The records could show if the child suffered a history of such abuse.

"There's a bone scan we are waiting on," Guest said. "Hopefully it will give us a timeframe at when the injuries occurred."

"As many injuries as this would suggest the child has suffered for a long time," Pennington said.

Sheila Tucker, a juvenile investigative officer with the Sheriff's Department, responded to an emergency call on Oct. 13 at the couple's residence, Pennington said.

At the scene, three other children, ages 9, 6 and 18 months, were recovered, Guest said.

"None have any signs of any child abuse," he said.

The other children are staying with family members, Guest said.

He said he was not certain about the relationship of the other children to Magee or Harrell.

Guest said he also didn't know the identity or status of the mother of the 3-year-old.

Guest said he expects to meet with Sheriff's Department officials in the near future to discuss consolidating some of the charges against the two.

Initially, officials filed affidavits for each injury, Guest said, adding every broken rib was listed as a separate count.

"I still expect there will be multiple charges for both," he said.