Custodial dad charged with capital murder in death of 4-year-old son (Garland, Texas)

It strongly appears that dad JOSEPH BLOCKER was custodial, as the dead boy's mother did not live in the home and was "out of the state" at the time of the boy's murder. At minimum, Dad had shared or joint custody.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Garland-Child-Dead-After-Washing-Machine-Injuries-Father-Arrested-Police-285409311.html

Garland Child Dead After Being Injured in Washing Machine; Father Arrested: Police

By Bianca Castro

A Garland man is charged with capital murder after his 4-year-old son was found dead inside a home Tuesday afternoon.

(Published Wednesday, Dec 10, 2014)

Thursday, Dec 11, 2014 • Updated at 10:34 AM CST

A Garland, Texas, man is charged with capital murder after his 4-year-old son was found dead inside a home Tuesday afternoon.

Police said Joseph Blocker, 28, called 911 Tuesday at about 3:30 p.m. to report his son was unconscious.

When officers arrived to the home in the 2400 block of Newcastle Drive, they said the child was deceased. And investigators believe at some point the boy had been injured inside the home's front-loading washing machine.

The Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office will help determine the cause of death.

Blocker was booked into the Garland Detention Center on a charge of capital murder and his bond was set at $500,000. A friend and former co-worker of Blocker’s told NBC 5 Blocker seemed like a good father, saying, "He always smiled when he talked about [his son]. It seem like he really cared about him."

Two other people live at the home, according to police, including Blocker's 22-month old daughter and that child's mother. The 4-year-old boy's mother did not live with at the home, and police said she was out of the state during the time of her son's death.

Police had no knowledge of any Child Protective Services history with the family.