Custodial dad accused of killing 17-month-old daughter says he didn't suspect child abuse, blames girlfriend (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

We've posted on this case before. What is not mentioned in the article below is that dad ZYRIAH SCHLITTER had gained custody just weeks before his daughter's homicide. See here for more detail.

There has never been an explanation as to why or how this father got custody or who gave it to him. Plus we see that those in authority have gone remarkably easy on this guy since his daughter's murder, giving him the total benefit of the doubt.

At one time, the mother had filed a wrongful death lawsuit, but it was later withdrawn with no real explanation from the media. So something is going on here....

Once again, we see the double standard at work. If a custodial mother had pleaded to ignorance, testifying that she had no idea that her boyfriend was abusing the baby, she'd be crucified as a stupid c***. But the father here is playing the Clueless Daddy card for all it's worth. And if past cases are any indication, he has a very good chance of making it work. Even though this POS continued to go out with the girlfriend, also accused of murder, after the daughter's death in intensive care.  

http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Father-Accused-of-Killing-His-Daughter-Says-He-Didnt-Suspect-Child-Abuse-183986391.html

Father Accused of Killing His Daughter Says He Didn't Suspect Child Abuse

By Trish Mehaffey, Reporter

Story Created: Dec 18, 2012 at 1:21 PM CST (Story Updated: Dec 18, 2012 at 1:40 PM CST )

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Zyriah Schlitter said Tuesday he wasn’t concerned about the bruising on his 17-month-old daughter Kamryn because she was an active toddler and he thought they were just the normal bumps and bruises most children experience.

Schlitter, who is accused of killing Kamryn, said he took his daughter to the doctor when she was sick with pink eye and an ear infection in early March 2010, he followed up with a nurse when her fever didn’t go down and he gave her prescribed medicines.

He said in hindsight he realizes her symptoms, vomiting and sleepiness, were the result of the head injury but at the time he thought it was because of an ear infection.

“I never suspected child abuse,” Schlitter said.

Schlitter’s attorney put him back on the stand briefly Tuesday to clarify some things from Monday’s cross examination by the prosecution. In testimony Monday, Schlitter said he didn’t hurt his daughter and couldn’t imagine anyone else harming her, including ex-girlfriend Amy Parmer, 29, who is also charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death.

The defense rested after making another motion for an acquittal, which the judge denied, and there was no rebuttal from the prosecution. The judge dismissed the jurors early Tuesday so she and the attorneys could work on jury instructions.

Closing arguments will start 9 a.m. Wednesday and the jury will likely start deliberations before noon.

Schlitter, 25, of Cedar Rapids, is charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in death. He is accused in the death of Kamryn who died March 28, 2010 of blunt force head trauma. Doctors testified last week that Kamryn’s non-accidental injuries were a result of being shaken or slammed.

Tom Gaul, Schlitter’s attorney, asked him why he didn’t blame Parmer, even after they broke up, when investigators asked him who could have abused Kamryn.

“I’m not the type to crucify anyone without proof,” Schlitter said.

Schlitter said his opinion changed about Parmer after finding out she cheated on him while his child was in intensive care and when he learned she referred to Kamryn as a “brat” and that she may have put make-up on her to cover up bruises.

“Was it also because she told two different people she (may) have killed your child?" Gaul said.

Schlitter said, "Yes."

First Assistant Linn County Attorney Nick Maybanks said “Didn’t you continue to talk to Parmer March 28, when Kamryn died, and after she died March 29? Weren’t you talking about seeing a movie? Wasn't that a text message?”

Schlitter said he did.

Maybanks also asked if Kamryn had a follow up doctor’s appointment March 19, but it wasn't kept.

“That’s true,” Schlitter said.