Dad arrested for murder of 3-year-old son (Syracuse, New York)

I get the impression that the parents were not married or cohabitating, and that Dad MARCELL WASHINGTON was "watching" the little boy at the time of his murder.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2011/11/both_sides_of_childs_family_ex.html

Both sides of child's family express shock and sorrow at death and father's arrest on murder charge

 Published: Monday, November 07, 2011, 10:34 AM
Updated: Monday, November 07, 2011, 1:44 PM
By Jim O'Hara / The Post-Standard The Post-Standard

Syracuse, NY - Family and friends expressed shock and dismay as they filed out of City Court this morning following Marcell Washington's arraignment on charges he intentionally murdered his 3-year-old son over the weekend.

Washington, 25, shuffled slowly into court - his eyes cast down at the floor - where he was arraigned before City Judge James Cecile on a single count of second-degree murder in the death of his son, Ameen.

Several dozen relatives and friends sat looking on - some crying openly - during the court appearance that lasted only about one minute.

Cecile ordered Washington held in jail without bail and scheduled a preliminary conference for Wednesday. The judge assigned lawyer Thomas Ryan to represent Washington.

The felony complaint filed in court accuses Washington of intentionally killing the child about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

The court papers indicate Washington held the victim's head and face under a constant stream of cold water in the shower for 10 minutes, causing the little boy's death.

The court papers also indicate Washington admitted to police he committed the crime, but no statement from the defendant or police reports detailing what he said were provided with the felony complaint charging Washington with murder.

Members of both Washington's family and the family of the baby's mother left court together, some offering hugs and words of sympathy to each other.

Washington's family huddled around the baby's maternal grandmother when she collapsed to the floor in the hallway outside court as the families left court.

While most of the relatives declined comment, Washington's aunt, Noretta Flemmings, said both families were shocked by what happened and were looking for answers to how Washington could have killed his own son.

"He loved him. He took good care of him," Flemmings said of Washington and his relationship with his son. She said her nephew was not the kind of person to have committed such a crime.

"All we can do is pray that God gives us the answers some way," Flemmings said.

Flemmings said there is no animosity between the two sides of the family. She said Washington's relatives went to the home of the baby's mother's relatives Sunday night to share in each others' grief and to console each other.

Outside the courthouse, Washington's mother, Marcena Davis, sat talking with relatives and friends for a short time after the court appearance.

She said she spent Friday babysitting for her grandson. Her son "just wasn't himself" but there was no sign of what was to happen to the little boy, she noted.

"It's a loss to everybody," Flemmings said.