Dad charged with 1st-degree murder in the death of 5-month-old son; was "estranged" from baby's mother (Hertford County, North Carolina)

The custody situation here is not explained. We are not told whether this couple was legally separated or had filed for divorce or what. But we clearly have a situation where the mother is "estranged" from the father, and temporarily left the baby in his care, either voluntarily or involuntarily. What seems to have happened next is a pattern we see again and again: a "frustrated" abuser dad who takes out his "abandonment" issues on a helpless infant.  In the sick view of many of these dudes, the mother must be punished for leaving his sorry @$$, and the baby is just collateral damage. Of course, the fact that these guys have a very low tolerance for stress also means that they are prone to "go off" on an infant for simply crying or wetting a diaper.

Dad is identified as JOSHUA D'AUNDRE POWELL.

http://www.witn.com/news/headlines/Father-Charged-With-Killing-5-Month-Old-Son-169612146.html?ref=146

Posted: Thu 9:19 AM, Sep 13, 2012

Father Charged With Killing 5 Month Old Son

A Hertford County man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his son earlier this year.

21-year-old Joshua D'Aundrey Powell of Ahoskie surrendered to police Wednesday afternoon.

Ahoskie Police Chief Troy Fitzhugh says Powell also was charged with two counts of felony child abuse.

Powell's 5-month-old son, Ashton, was found dead at his home in March. Officials say the child suffered from blunt force trauma. His mother, Paris Pope, had left Ashton temporarily with Powell, her estranged husband, while she was out of town.