Non-custodial dad charged with murder in shooting death of 4-year-old son (Houston, Texas)

Sounds like this shooting may not have been "accidental" after all. Or that Daddy might have been threatening and/or aiming at somebody else.

No word here on whether dad MARQUIEZ PRATT had his visitation "rights" by court order, or whether these weekend visits were at the discretion of the mother. However, it is also the case that mothers are under intense pressure to "co-parent" and "share" with the father, even if he is a criminal and/or a casual sex partner who never had any demonstrated commitment to her, any subsequent children, or raising a family together. The results are often tragic, as these guys are just not bonded with these kids.

Fatherhood programs that encourage these guys to get "involved"--through legal fights if necessary--do not address the problems of families. If you want to be a family man, then stay out of prison, marry the mother, and get a job. Patchwork programs that pretend you can attain the results of a stable family without actually creating one are just so much hogwash.

http://www.kvue.com/news/state/253418011.html

Father’s charges upgraded to murder in 4-year-old’s accidental shooting death

Father’s charges upgraded to murder in 4-year-old’s accidental shooting death

by KHOU.com staff kvue.com
Posted on April 1, 2014 at 1:44 PM

HOUSTON – The father of a 4-year-old boy who accidentally shot and killed himself last year is now facing an upgraded charge of murder.

Marquiez Pratt, 20, was originally charged with child endangerment and possession of a controlled substance. He was released from jail on Feb. 26, 2013 after posting a $50,000 bond.

Pratt was arrested after his son, Jaiden, picked up a gun on the morning of Feb. 24, 2013 and accidentally shot himself at an apartment in the 13500 block of Northborough Drive. When Houston police arrived, they found Pratt outside holding his son. Paramedics tried to revive the child, but Jaiden was pronounced dead at the scene.

When police searched the apartment, they allegedly found cocaine and marijuana inside. The gun that killed Pratt’s son was also discovered to be stolen, police said.

Pratt said he was asleep when his son found the gun, but a neighbor disputed that, saying she heard adults arguing immediately before hearing the gunshot.

Jaiden lived with his mother, but sometimes visited his father on the weekends, detectives said.

A warrant has been issued for Pratt’s arrest.