Custodial dad charged in death of 2-year-old son; boy died from multiple skull fractures (Oroville, California)

Another one of those cases where dad's custodial status is well-disguised. First we see the reference to dad MICHAEL LESLIE DOLLAR's "girlfriend." Usually, this is not the mother or the reporter would say so--though some reporters are sloppy. Also notice, however, that it is later clarified that the little boy "lived with" his father--which wouldn't have to be stated if he was married to the biological mother. Also notice the references to a half brother, which also tend to confirm that the "girlfriend" is not the mother of the murdered child.

This poor little boy's skull was fractured in five places before he died. Who gave this father custody and why? What happened to the mother?

http://www.orovillemr.com/news/ci_23478414/father-faces-charges-16-month-olds-2010-death

Father faces charges in 16-month-old's 2010 death

Staff Reports orovillemr.com
Posted: 06/17/2013 12:33:49 PM PDT

OROVILLE — The father of a 16-month-old boy who died two years ago with severe head injuries was arrested Thursday in connection with the toddler's death.

Bangor resident Michael Leslie Dollar, 25, will be arraigned today on a charge of assault on a child causing death, according to Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey.

Oroville Police Department has been investigating the case for two years.

Nov. 11, 2010, Dollar and his girlfriend took 16-month-old Deagan Jackson to the emergency room at Oroville Hospital with unknown injuries.

Hospital officials called the police department and reported the baby had a grave head injury, according to earlier reports.

The baby was transferred to U.C. Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, but was pronounced dead the next morning.

Dollar lived with the boy in Oroville at the time of the incident. Ramsey said Dollar initially told police the boy had been playing in a bedroom with his 2-year-old half brother and that he believed Deagan had fallen out of his bed.

An autopsy determined the cause of death was blunt-force trauma. The child's skull was fractured in five places, Ramsey said.

Dollar is in custody at Butte County Jail with bail set at $1 million. He could face a sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted.