"Sole caretaker" dad charged in murder of 6-month-old son; mom charged with failure to protect (Newton, Iowa)

Once again, we see the no-win situation that mothers face. Mom has been charged in the death of her 6-month-old baby, but not for anything she did. It's for what she "failed" to do. She "allowed" a father with "violent tendencies" to act as the child's "sole caregiver" that day--perhaps while she worked, though this is not explained. Nor do we know if this dad with "violent tendencies" held a job. Wouldn't suprise me if he didn't. Deadbeats are often of this type.

Fathers are virtually never charged when a caretaking mother abuses or kills an infant. It's just assumed they were clueless as to what was going on.

But really, what choice did this woman really have? She obviously needed to work if the daddy wasn't. And you can just about bet that had she left this idiot, he would have positioned himself for full custody as the "sole caretaker." And the family courts probably would have gone along with his demands too. And had Mom made a big deal about Dad's "violent tendencies," she would have been denounced as a liar and as an alienator.

The killer dad is identified as JOSEPH EDWARD ALBERT OLEA.

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/07/31/newton-parents-charged-in-infants-death/

Newton parents charged in infant’s death

8:49 AM, Jul 31, 2012 | by Regina Zilbermints

Newton police arrested the parents of a six-month-old child Monday for their alleged involvement in the infant’s death.

The child died of serious injuries to his head and neck after being taken to Blank Children’s Hospital on Jan. 10, police said.

Authorities alleged the infant’s father, Joseph Edward Albert Olea, 24, used unreasonable force on his son, which resulted in death.

The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the child died of blunt force injuries to the head and neck and declared the manner of death to be homicide.

Olea was allegedly the child’s sole caregiver between 6 a.m. that morning and when the the child was taken to the hospital.

Olea was charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death.

The child’s mother was also charged with child endangerment resulting in death.

Police said Chelsea Jo Miller, 24, knew Olea had violent tendencies but allowed him to care for the child alone.

Neither parent has faced any charges other than traffic violations as adults, online court records show, though Olea had been charged with burglary and drug possession as a juvenile.

Olea faces life in prison if convicted. Miller faces up to 50 years in prison.