Dad to be charged with capital murder in death of 20-month-old daughter (Gadsden, Alabama)

We need to stop "involving" fathers who were never committed to the mother or to making a family together. This dude has a history of domestic violence. He supposedly had a "screw loose" (according to two different people) and his own toddler daughter was afraid of him. There was nothing to be gained by letting this kind of sh** have access to a child, and everything to lose.

Dad is identified as STEPHON LINDSAY.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20130313/NEWS/130319936?p=1&tc=pg

Father accused in Gadsden child's death

By John Davidson
Times Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 6:44 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 4:50 p.m.

A 20-month-old girl was found dead Tuesday night at the corner of Plainview Street and Block Avenue, according to Gadsden police. Her father is in custody and is expected to be charged Thursday with capital murder.

Maliyah Tashay Lindsay was reported missing Monday evening by her mother, Tasmine Thomas, 19, Gadsden, when she couldn't locate her daughter. The father, Stephon Lindsay, said he took the girl to his sister's house about a week earlier.

When Thomas called Lindsay's sister to pick up Maliyah, the sister said she had not seen either of them for weeks. Thomas called Lindsay and when he did not answer her calls, she called police.

Gadsden Police Capt. Bobby Jackson said Lindsay was arrested Tuesday night at a residence on Clayton Boulevard. Detectives interviewed him, and information from the interview led them to a wooded area off Plainview Avenue, where they found Maliyah's body.

The investigation was a joint effort between Gadsden police, the Etowah County Sheriff's Office and other agencies, but Jackson said, “We'll be the lead because it happened in our jurisdiction. Anything like this, we'll get support from the surrounding law enforcement agencies and that's important.”

Jackson pointed to a picture of Maliyah. “How can you hurt that little baby?” he asked.

Mary Jones, Maliyah's great-grandmother, described her as a sweet baby. She said Thomas was so shaken by her daughter's death that she had to be hospitalized.

“When she got the news yesterday evening, I've never seen her so upset,” Jones said. “I'm just trying to hold up, because (Tasmine) needs me.”

Shanika Thomas, Maliyah's aunt, said her niece used to make some of the silliest faces. Jones said the child was full of life and energy and ran all over the house.

“We used to try to get her to stop or come back,” Jones said. “She'd just stop and look at you and keep on running.”

Jones said Maliyah was scared of Lindsay and didn't want to be around him.

“He'd walk in the door and she'd run from him,” Thomas said. “She didn't want to go with him, so he'd leave.”

Shanika Thomas and Jones said he had “a screw loose,” but wouldn't describe him as mentally ill, Jones noting that he “pays his bills” and “knows exactly what he's doing.

Both said they don't understand how anyone could do what was done to Maliyah.

“I don't even see how he can look at her and want to hurt her,” Shankia Thomas said. “Not just any baby, but your own?”

Maliyah's body has been sent to Huntsville for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.