Custodial dad, gal pal arraigned in death of 3-year-old son (Martinsburg, West Virginia)

Dad is identified as JAMES MAUDLIN. We still have NO explanation as to why this 3-year old was in Dad's care, or how he got there. But is appears he was custodial. No word on the boy's mother or why this child was apparently not in her care.

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/580167/Two-arraigned-on-charges-related-to-child-s-death.html?nav=5006

Two arraigned on charges related to child’s death
Both defendants are accused of failing to seek medical attention for the victim
June 6, 2012
By Edward Marshall - Journal Staff Writer , journal-news.net

MARTINSBURG - Two people indicted last month by a grand jury in connection with the death of a 3-year-old boy in January were arraigned Tuesday in Berkeley County Circuit Court.

The child's father, 20-year-old James Mauldin, who is incarcerated at Eastern Regional Jail, was indicted in May on charges of death of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian by child abuse; child abuse causing serious bodily injury; malicious assault; two counts of gross child neglect creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury; and one count of presenting false information regarding a child's injuries.

Mauldin's co-defendant, 23-year-old Jasmine K. Dawkins, of Pinewood Drive, Waldorf, Md., was indicted on one count of death of a child by a parent, guardian or custodian by child abuse; two counts of gross child neglect creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury; and one count of presenting false information regarding a child's injuries.

Both Mauldin and Dawkins, who have pleaded not guilty to the charges, made brief appearances in court Tuesday with their attorneys for arraignment hearings before West Virginia 23rd Judicial Court Judge John Yoder. A trial date was subsequently scheduled for Dec. 10.

The victim in the case, Kaiwon Connelly, was flown to Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., in critical condition on Dec. 31, 2011, and died on New Year's Day from alleged abuse-related injuries. The child was found to be suffering from multiple skull fractures and brain bleeds. Doctors and nurses also found evidence of past marks on his body, burn marks and head injuries.

Both defendants are accused of failing to seek medical attention for the boy. Dawkins, who is not the child's biological mother, told police that she witnessed Mauldin punch the victim in the face and head multiple times a few days prior to the child's death. The burn marks on the victim's buttocks and legs are believed to have been caused by a punishment imposed on the child called "squats," which involved the victim being forced to squat over a burning hot pan.

Both Mauldin and Dawkins are also accused of lying about how the child suffered his injuries. Dawkins also is accused of failing to report the abuse to authorities. She previously told police that she didn't report the abuse because she was afraid of being abused herself. The case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police.

A trial date was tentatively scheduled for December in the case.