Dad charged in murder of 2-year-old daughter (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Dad is identified as NASSIR J. ELUM. Even if this baby had survived, the quality of her life would have been questionable at best. No mention of the mother, but she lost custody anyway.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/590512_Father-of-child-who-died-here-charged-with-murder.html

Father of child who died here charged with murder
Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era
Updated Feb 20, 2012 11:19

By CINDY STAUFFER
Staff Writer

The father of a 2-year-old child who died here in November has been charged with her murder.

Nassir J. Elum, 28, of Philadelphia, was charged with the death of Nalan Elum, also known as Kalinda Rose Conklin, who was being cared for by a family in Lititz at the time of her death.

Police say Elum assaulted his daughter in March 2010, when she was just 2 months old. The child suffered a severe brain injury, due to being shaken.

The baby never walked or talked, or even ate on her own. She suffered seizures and could not regulate her oxygen level or body temperature, and required constant care.

She died Nov. 30 of last year at the Elizabeth Township home of Michael and Thelma Conklin, who were her guardians and preparing to adopt her. The couple has 12 adopted special-needs children and two biological sons, ranging in age from 1 to 15.

"That day was the roughest day for us," said Mrs. Conklin, who was holding the child when she died.

After an autopsy, Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni determined that the child's death was due to her March 2010 injuries and ruled her death a homicide.

Elum was formally charged with murder and endangering the welfare of children Dec. 12. He is being held in the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center.