Dad has violent criminal history; why did he have custody of a baby? (Madera, California)

Why indeed? I am so happy to see at least one news outlet (KMPH) start to connect the dots and ask the tough questions. Not that the Department of Social Services will give a straight answer.

So WHY did a father with MARC McMURRAIN's violent criminal history have custody of an infant? Corruption? Bribery? Institutional Stupidity? Father exaltation? Mother hatred? All the above?

Notice the case against the mother is comparatively weak. In many cases of so-called "joint" parental abuse, the mother is simply smeared for "failure to protect." But I don't know that anybody but a 200+ pound bodybuilder could stop this crazya$$ dude in the act. He even attacked a news crew!

http://www.kmph.com/story/18431779/north-fork-father-has-violent-criminal-history-why-did-he-have-custody

North Fork Father Has Violent Criminal History; Why Did He Have Custody?
Posted: May 16, 2012 12:38 AM CDT
Updated: May 16, 2012 12:07 PM CDT
By Nicole Garcia

MADERA, Calif. (KMPH) - A North Fork father is in jail for child neglect- the day after his baby son fell out of a car, head-first.

Marc McMurrain is also facing a battery charge for attacking our news crew.

This caps off a long list of violent convictions and child abuse charges to his name.

A convicted violent felon, court documents show McMurrain has a long rap sheet dating back to 2000 when he was convicted of burglary and served prison time.

In 2002 he was convicted of having meth.

In 2009 he was charged with three counts of felony child abuse.

Last year he was charged with three more counts of felony child abuse and Tuesday, he was arrested for one count of child neglect and battery.

In addition to the baby boy who fell on his head at Bass Lake, court documents show McMurrain has at least two other kids.

KMPH asked the director of Madera County Department of Social Services about the case, asking the question, "Why isn't that enough to remove these children from their father's care?"


Director Kelly Woodard replied, "Well first of all, I can't comment about the case. But in any situation, law enforcement will make a decision on whether the children are at risk, we are right there with them in that process. So history is a factor when making that determination."

As for the mother in the case, court records show Jennifer Moore was arrested on suspicion of three counts of child abuse in 2009 - for an incident she and McMurrain are both being held responsible for.

KMPH also tried speaking with the Madera County District Attorney, but the office refused to provide us with answers or comment on the story.

As for the baby boy that survived Monday's fall out of a car window at Bass Lake, he's going to be okay and is in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Woodard couldn't tell us who's caring for the other kids McMurrain is accused of hurting.