Dad accused of beating 3-month-old son to death; also had custody of 15-month-old daughter from previous relationship (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

Whoa. Are they telling us that self-confessed baby killer SAMUEL CABRERA ALSO had custody of a 15-month-old daughter from a previous relationship? WHY? What happened to this girl's mother? How did this happen and who in the "system" was responsible for this decision?

Once again, we see how an abusive, violent father is often successful in securing custody of a child...

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Father-Accused-of-Beating-3-Month-Old-Son-to-Death-203318031.html

Father Accused of Beating 3-Month-Old Son to Death

By David Chang | Wednesday, Apr 17, 2013 | Updated 5:16 AM EDT

Rashawn Reddick didn’t hold back her disgust when she learned of the accusations against her neighbor Samuel Cabrera.

“It makes me sick to my stomach,” she said. “It makes me want to throw up.”

Cabrera, 27, is charged with beating his baby boy to death.

“A 3-month-old innocent baby,” said Reddick. “It makes me want to cry.”

Last Tuesday, 3-month-old Samuel Cabrera Jr., of the 600 block of North 63rd Street, was rushed to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in critical condition. Doctors say the baby had suffered two broken bones, a ruptured spleen and liver and that all of his abdominal organs had been crushed. The child later died from his injuries.

When Cabrera and the child’s mother were questioned, sources close to the investigation say the couple gave conflicting stories. The mother allegedly told detectives they found the baby pale and unconscious. She claimed that the baby became bruised after she and Cabrera pounded on his chest while performing CPR. Cabrera allegedly told police however that he was trying to knock the family dog off the bed and accidentally hit the baby.

Sources tell NBC10's Nefertiti Jaquez that Cabrera eventually confessed to killing his own child. He was arrested and charged with murder.

Cabrera's 15-month-old daughter as well as three other children his partner had from a previous relationship also lived with the couple, according to sources close to the investigation. All of the children are currently living with relatives.

Officials also say they spotted bruises on the 15-month-old girl and are trying to determine whether Cabrera also abused her.

The mother has not yet been charged. Cabrera is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on May 1.