Dad found guilty of abusing infant son during weekend visitation; dad missing and "remains at large" (Bourg, Louisiana)

Dad PAUL DION has been found guilty of abusing his infant son during his weekend visitation time. But somehow Daddy managed to flee the courthouse before the verdict and hasn't been seen since. He remains "at large."

http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20111118/ARTICLES/111119461/1320?p=1&tc=pg

Dad guilty of causing son's brain damage
By Eric Heisig
Staff Writer

Published: Friday, November 18, 2011 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, November 18, 2011 at 11:50 p.m.

The Bourg father who violently shook his baby, leaving the boy with severe brain damage, was convicted Friday of the crime.

Paul Dion, 46, wasn't present for the verdict because he fled the Terrebonne Courthouse Thursday and remains at large.

Dion was convicted of second-degree cruelty following a three-day bench trial. He faces up to 40 years in prison.

Judge George Larke said the evidence presented at trial shows that Dion, a truck driver, severely harmed the child. Dion returned the injured baby to his mother in December 2009 following a weekend visit.

The boy, who is now 2, has severe neurological disabilities, but his condition has improved over time, his mother said. He can communicate and sit up, though he cannot do the latter on his own.

Dion, who opted for a bench trial, faces up to 40 years in prison. His sentencing is set for Feb. 23.

Larke had planned to issue his verdict Thursday afternoon, but Dion left the Terrebonne Courthouse before that could happen. He allegedly told his family and attorney that “he didn't want to go to jail.”

Dion, who has a 1983 conviction for felony theft, was free on $250,000 bond pending the outcome of his trial.

An arrest warrant was issued for contempt of court, and Assistant District Attorney Mark Rhodes said he is seeking a federal arrest warrant for flight to avoid prosecution.

Rhodes said investigators are trying to determine if anyone assisted Dion in escaping or eluding police.

Patsy Dion, Paul's sister, said she has talked to her brother on the phone since he fled, but he refused to tell her where he was.

Patsy Dion, who denies that Dion had help in escaping, said, “He asked me how it went, and I told him. I told him be strong.”

Dion has said repeatedly that he did not abuse the boy. His attorney, Barron Whipple, said in opening statements that the boy was abused by someone else prior to that weekend visitation.

Rhodes, who prosecuted Dion along with Assistant District Attorney Bud Barnes, said he is “very proud of the case.”

“I am amazed at the strength” of the boy's mother, Melissa Thibodeaux, Rhodes said. “However, she still doesn't have complete closure due to Mr. Dion's decision” to flee.

Patsy Dion said she and her family are disappointed with Larke's verdict.

Her brother is not a violent person, Patsy Dion said.

Thibodeaux declined comment after the trial.

When last seen, Dion was driving a gold Jeep Cherokee and wearing a green shirt and khaki pants.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Terrebonne Sheriff's Office at 876-2500 or Bayou Region Crime Stoppers at 1-800-743-7433.