New evidence that dad tortured 3-year-old son before killing him (Martinsburg, West Virginia)

Why was this child staying with dad JAMES N. MAUDLIN? Was this the mother's choice--or was she coerced? Was she told she had better "facilitate" contact? Was this court-ordered visitation? Why is there STILL no mention in the media as to this murdered boy's mother?

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/573070/New-charges-filed-in-abuse-case.html?nav=5006

New charges filed in abuse case
Child allegedly forced to squat over hot pan, punched several times


January 4, 2012
By Edward Marshall

MARTINSBURG - Recently obtained court records have shed more light on alleged abuse that a 3-year-old boy suffered at the hands of his father, who was arraigned with his girlfriend Tuesday on new charges in connection with the toddler's death on Saturday.

Records show that Kaiwon Connelly's father, James N. Mauldin, 20, allegedly forced the victim to squat over a hot pan as punishment. Mauldin also allegedly punched the victim several times in the head a few days before his death, and Connelly had injuries that included a skull fracture and bleeding of the brain.

Mauldin, who is now being held at Eastern Regional Jail on a $250,000 cash-only bond, was arraigned Tuesday on a new warrant charging him with felony child abuse resulting in death. He was initially arrested Saturday on charges of child abuse, child neglect and presentation of false information regarding child injuries.

The victim was flown to Children's National Medical Center Saturday night and died a day later, resulting in the new charge.

Mauldin's girlfriend, 22-year-old Jasmine K. Dawkins, of Clinton, Md., is accused of failing to report the abuse. She was arraigned on a new felony warrant Tuesday charging her with allowing child abuse that resulted in the death of a child. She was initially arrested Saturday on charges of child neglect and presentation of false information regarding child injuries. Dawkins also is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bond at Eastern Regional Jail.

The case was investigated by West Virginia State Trooper Z.S. Conner.

At about 6:06 p.m. Saturday, Conner responded to a call requesting assistance for emergency medical services personnel at an apartment at 214 Joshua Drive in Martinsburg. Conner learned the call involved the cardiac arrest of a 3-year-old boy, later identified as Connelly. When Conner arrived the scene, medics told him about head trauma and scars discovered all over the victim's body - possible signs of child abuse, records show.

At 6:23 p.m., Conner obtained a recorded statement from Mauldin, who told the officer that the child was in his bedroom and collapsed. Mauldin said he called 911 after learning the child was not breathing.

Conner went to City Hospital, where he was told about burn marks that were found on the child's body. Conner was told by medical personnel that it appeared the burn marks were recent. It was there that Conner learned of Connelly's severe head trauma, records show.

Conner took a second statement from Mauldin at City Hospital. In the written statement, Mauldin said he knew of the burn marks on his son's body. He also told police that the child had been staying at the apartment on Joshua Drive for a few days after Thanksgiving and admitted that he had known of the burn marks since that time.

Later that evening, at about 11:05 p.m., Conner took a recorded statement from Dawkins about the events of that day. The woman claimed that about 1 p.m. Saturday she was in the bathroom with her 3-month-old child, as well as the victim. Dawkins stated that the victim was standing on the toilet and said Connelly fell on his side, hitting his head hard on the floor. She told police she noticed blood on the inside of the child's ear a few hours after the child fell from the toilet, records show.

Dawkins, however, later admitted to Conner that Mauldin had abused the child a few days prior to the incident and that he used a form of discipline called "squats," records show.

"Trooper Conner was further advised that Mr. Mauldin would get angry to the point he would heat a pan on the stove and then place it on the floor underneath Kaiwon," records state.

Dawkins told police the burn marks on the child's body came from the hot pan. She also told Conner a few days prior to the child's death, Mauldin punched the victim several times in the head.

"Ms. Dawkins advised Trooper Conner she did not report the abuse or the child being burned by the hot pan. Dawkins advised Trooper Conner that Kaiwon began to fall a lot since the time Mr. Mauldin punched him in the head. Ms. Dawkins stated that she believed the above stated incident may have occurred (as) the result of the punches to the head of Kaiwon," records state.

At about 12:13 p.m. Sunday, a Children's National Medical Center nurse told Conner that Connelly passed away due to his injuries an hour and a half earlier.

If convicted of the new charges, both Mauldin and Dawkins face 10 to 40 years in prison.