Here's the question that's not being asked: Why is a five-week-old infant, basically a newborn, being subjected to any custody situation with Daddy and his new girlfriend?
Newborns need loving, consistent care--preferably with their mom. They don't need to be passed around and subjected to Daddy's resentful new girlfriend, who no doubt didn't like getting stuck with caretaking duties for a baby she is not the mother of.
Mothers need to have sole custody, and daddies need to butt out.
http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/Arrest-made-in-the-death-of-a-five-week-old-baby-in-Wilkes-County-323129201.html
UPDATE| Woman accused of murder of a five week old baby in Wilkes County makes first appearance
Posted: Fri 4:06 PM, Aug 28, 2015
By: staff
The woman accused of murder of a five week-old infant made her first appearance in court, according to the Wilkes County Sheriff
Friday, August 28, 2015
WASHINGTON, Ga. (WRDW) -- The woman accused of murder of a five week-old infant made her first appearance in court, according to the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office.
Wilkes County Sheriff Deputies say Takela Jones appeared in Magistrate Court earlier Friday. Jones will remain in custody, according to deputies.
The case will be sent to Wilkes County Superior Court for Jones' bond hearing, according to the Sheriff's Office.
According to investigators, Takela Jones, 21, was arrested and charged with murder. She is the girlfriend of the child's biological father Michael Wylie.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
WASHINGTON, Ga. (WRDW) -- A Wilkes County woman is facing charges for the murder of a five week old infant.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says on Monday, August 24 around 11:30 p.m., someone called 911 in reference to a unresponsive five week old infant, Sidney Lewis.
EMS took the baby from a home on Norman St. to Willis Memorial Hospital where she died a short time later.
The GBI Thomson Office was contacted on the morning on Tuesday, August 25 to assist Wilkes County Deputies with the suspicious death of the infant.
The GBI Medical Examiner's Office says it conducted an autopsy and determined the cause of death to be homicide as a result of severe intentional head injuries.
Investigators say Takela Jones, 21, was arrested and charged with murder.
She is the girlfriend of the child's biological father Michael Wylie.
The GBI and the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office are continuing the investigation.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Dad murders 5-year-old son, 11-year-old daughter during child custody time (Henry County, Indiana)
Lots of little code words here by which the mainstream media disguises the murder of a violent father with child custody rights.
"Difficult divorce" generally means a history of domestic violence and child abuse that we won't come out and admit.
The fact that the murders were discovered when school officials reported that the kids hadn't shown up reveals that the father, AT MINIMUM, had joint custody, not just weekend visitation.
And notice that one of the neighbors reports not being surprised. That means that even people outside the home knew he was potentially dangerous.
So who gave dad JOSEPH HORN his custody "rights" despite all this? We need names.
This is not atypical for Indiana, which is a very big fathers rights state.
See the Killer Dads and Custody list for Indiana.
http://www.wthr.com/story/29893388/three-bodies-found-in-henry-county-home
Father, two children found dead inside Henry County home
Posted: Aug 27, 2015 12:01 PM EDT Updated: Aug 27, 2015 10:35 PM EDT
By David MacAnally, WTHR reporter
HENRY COUNTY - Authorities have confirmed the bodies found in a Henry County home Thursday are a father and his two children.
The Henry County prosecutor says 48-year-old Joseph Horn died of a gunshot wound in the home in the 5500 block of W. Old National Road.
That's about 1.5 miles east of Knightstown and a half-mile south of US 40. Horn's five-year-old son, Thomas Cordell Horn, and 11-year-old daughter, Corinne Nicole Horn, were also found dead in the home.
Thursday night, there was overwhelming grief at the overwhelming crime scene.
Near dusk, 10 hours after the killings, investigators finally prepared to remove the bodies from the home.
Authorities were first alerted to a problem when the school called to say a child failed to show up for classes.
Police came to the home, looked into the window, and saw the little boy lying dead on the floor.
The bodies were found in different rooms of the house, according to the sheriff.
The cause of the children's deaths is not being released at this time.
Police say there is no evidence of any subjects at large.
The deaths come after what has been called a difficult divorce between Joseph Horn and his wife.
"I can't say, really, what I've been told the past few weeks. I just don't want to go there, but I guess I'm not really shocked, knowing what I know," said one neighbor.
"Right across the street is unreal to me. How anyone can do that, I wouldn't know," said another neighbor.
"My husband and I really like the place. We thought if we ever won the lottery, we'd buy that house."
Now a crime scene, the house was a mile marker on Kate Imel's country walks.
"Very surprising and shocking. We don't have that around here," Imel said when hearing of the horror that took place inside the home.
"I can't imagine a mother losing a child. I think about my kids and it's like, 'How am I supposed to live without a child?'"
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
"Difficult divorce" generally means a history of domestic violence and child abuse that we won't come out and admit.
The fact that the murders were discovered when school officials reported that the kids hadn't shown up reveals that the father, AT MINIMUM, had joint custody, not just weekend visitation.
And notice that one of the neighbors reports not being surprised. That means that even people outside the home knew he was potentially dangerous.
So who gave dad JOSEPH HORN his custody "rights" despite all this? We need names.
This is not atypical for Indiana, which is a very big fathers rights state.
See the Killer Dads and Custody list for Indiana.
http://www.wthr.com/story/29893388/three-bodies-found-in-henry-county-home
Father, two children found dead inside Henry County home
Posted: Aug 27, 2015 12:01 PM EDT Updated: Aug 27, 2015 10:35 PM EDT
By David MacAnally, WTHR reporter
HENRY COUNTY - Authorities have confirmed the bodies found in a Henry County home Thursday are a father and his two children.
The Henry County prosecutor says 48-year-old Joseph Horn died of a gunshot wound in the home in the 5500 block of W. Old National Road.
That's about 1.5 miles east of Knightstown and a half-mile south of US 40. Horn's five-year-old son, Thomas Cordell Horn, and 11-year-old daughter, Corinne Nicole Horn, were also found dead in the home.
Thursday night, there was overwhelming grief at the overwhelming crime scene.
Near dusk, 10 hours after the killings, investigators finally prepared to remove the bodies from the home.
Authorities were first alerted to a problem when the school called to say a child failed to show up for classes.
Police came to the home, looked into the window, and saw the little boy lying dead on the floor.
The bodies were found in different rooms of the house, according to the sheriff.
The cause of the children's deaths is not being released at this time.
Police say there is no evidence of any subjects at large.
The deaths come after what has been called a difficult divorce between Joseph Horn and his wife.
"I can't say, really, what I've been told the past few weeks. I just don't want to go there, but I guess I'm not really shocked, knowing what I know," said one neighbor.
"Right across the street is unreal to me. How anyone can do that, I wouldn't know," said another neighbor.
"My husband and I really like the place. We thought if we ever won the lottery, we'd buy that house."
Now a crime scene, the house was a mile marker on Kate Imel's country walks.
"Very surprising and shocking. We don't have that around here," Imel said when hearing of the horror that took place inside the home.
"I can't imagine a mother losing a child. I think about my kids and it's like, 'How am I supposed to live without a child?'"
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Dad with history of DV charged with murder in death of 3-month-old daughter; admits he smothered baby with pillow (Indianapolis, Indiana)
A father with a history of domestic violence who killed the baby while Mom was at work. He should have been locked up long ago.
Dad is identified as JEFFREY D. FAIRBANKS.
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/08/28/father-arrested-presumed-death-month-old-girl/71285080/
Father placed pillow over 3-month-old baby, affidavit alleges
Michael Anthony Adams, Madeline Buckley and Kristine Guerra
5:11 p.m. EDT August 28, 2015
Jeffrey D. Fairbanks, 45, faces charges of murder and neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
The body of 3-month-old Janna Rivera still is missing three months after the Indianapolis child’s disappearance triggered searches through three counties and various explanations from the girl’s father.
But the person accused of killing Janna has now been charged. Jeffrey D. Fairbanks, the father whose accounts, according to court records, changed from not remembering much of May 28 to saying he picked up a lifeless body to admitting to putting a pillow on his crying daughter’s head, was charged Friday in Marion Superior Court with murder and neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
Her body has not been found.
"We are alleging that she is dead and he knowingly killed her," Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Denise Robinson said.
When asked why it took three months for charges to be filed, Robinson said prosecutors needed time to assess all the statements and evidence.
The absence of an autopsy report could pose a challenge for prosecutors in proving what caused the infant's death.
"There's a considerable amount of things we need to prove," Robinson said.
Police said they were called May 29 to a Northeastside home in the 4100 block of Candy Apple Boulevard after the infant’s mother, Yolanda Rivera-Gonzalez, called 911 to report her baby’s disappearance.
Police interviewed Fairbanks, who told detectives various stories.
He first said he couldn't remember anything about May 28.
Then, according to a probable cause affidavit, he said, "I don't wanna go to jail."
Ultimately, he told police, "let's go," signaling to them he would show them where he left the baby, the affidavit said.
The next day Fairbanks, 45, took police to a dumpster at Maison Garden Apartments on the Northeastside.
"I picked her up, and she wasn't movin' anymore," the affidavit said Fairbanks told police.
The dumpster, though, was nearly empty, the affidavit said, leading to a search of a landfill on the Southside.
Back at a police station, detectives questioned Fairbanks again.
He told police he woke up at 5:30 a.m. that day because the child was crying. He said he "muffled" her with a pillow but denied putting pressure on the pillow, the affidavit said.
Fairbanks said later that morning he noticed the baby wasn't moving and took her to the dumpster, the affidavit said.
He told his wife he buried the child in a cornfield and placed a cross at the burial site, the affidavit said.
One of the children in the home told police Fairbanks would sometimes cover the baby with a pillow when she cried.
Over the next few months investigators chased leads throughout Shelby, Hancock and Marion counties, searching fields, landfills and other undisclosed locations to no avail.
The mother of Janna said her relationship with Fairbanks had turned violent about two years ago, according to a personal protection order she filed in June. Rivera-Gonzalez alleges that Fairbanks would beat her at least once a month, leaving her scarred, bruised and afraid that she and her children were not safe when he was around.
Rivera-Gonzalez also alleges in the personal protection order that Fairbanks admitted to burying their daughter while she was at work.
He said that Janna died while he was watching her and Rivera-Gonzalez's two older children, according to the order.
The order is one of two active protection orders filed against Fairbanks.
The other, filed in June 2013, is associated with a charge of domestic battery that Fairbanks is facing in Hendricks County. Fairbanks is being held without bond in the Marion County Jail.
Judge Sheila Carlisle entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
A public defender has been assigned to his case.
Dad is identified as JEFFREY D. FAIRBANKS.
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/08/28/father-arrested-presumed-death-month-old-girl/71285080/
Father placed pillow over 3-month-old baby, affidavit alleges
Michael Anthony Adams, Madeline Buckley and Kristine Guerra
5:11 p.m. EDT August 28, 2015
Jeffrey D. Fairbanks, 45, faces charges of murder and neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
The body of 3-month-old Janna Rivera still is missing three months after the Indianapolis child’s disappearance triggered searches through three counties and various explanations from the girl’s father.
But the person accused of killing Janna has now been charged. Jeffrey D. Fairbanks, the father whose accounts, according to court records, changed from not remembering much of May 28 to saying he picked up a lifeless body to admitting to putting a pillow on his crying daughter’s head, was charged Friday in Marion Superior Court with murder and neglect of a dependent resulting in death.
Her body has not been found.
"We are alleging that she is dead and he knowingly killed her," Marion County Deputy Prosecutor Denise Robinson said.
When asked why it took three months for charges to be filed, Robinson said prosecutors needed time to assess all the statements and evidence.
The absence of an autopsy report could pose a challenge for prosecutors in proving what caused the infant's death.
"There's a considerable amount of things we need to prove," Robinson said.
Police said they were called May 29 to a Northeastside home in the 4100 block of Candy Apple Boulevard after the infant’s mother, Yolanda Rivera-Gonzalez, called 911 to report her baby’s disappearance.
Police interviewed Fairbanks, who told detectives various stories.
He first said he couldn't remember anything about May 28.
Then, according to a probable cause affidavit, he said, "I don't wanna go to jail."
Ultimately, he told police, "let's go," signaling to them he would show them where he left the baby, the affidavit said.
The next day Fairbanks, 45, took police to a dumpster at Maison Garden Apartments on the Northeastside.
"I picked her up, and she wasn't movin' anymore," the affidavit said Fairbanks told police.
The dumpster, though, was nearly empty, the affidavit said, leading to a search of a landfill on the Southside.
Back at a police station, detectives questioned Fairbanks again.
He told police he woke up at 5:30 a.m. that day because the child was crying. He said he "muffled" her with a pillow but denied putting pressure on the pillow, the affidavit said.
Fairbanks said later that morning he noticed the baby wasn't moving and took her to the dumpster, the affidavit said.
He told his wife he buried the child in a cornfield and placed a cross at the burial site, the affidavit said.
One of the children in the home told police Fairbanks would sometimes cover the baby with a pillow when she cried.
Over the next few months investigators chased leads throughout Shelby, Hancock and Marion counties, searching fields, landfills and other undisclosed locations to no avail.
The mother of Janna said her relationship with Fairbanks had turned violent about two years ago, according to a personal protection order she filed in June. Rivera-Gonzalez alleges that Fairbanks would beat her at least once a month, leaving her scarred, bruised and afraid that she and her children were not safe when he was around.
Rivera-Gonzalez also alleges in the personal protection order that Fairbanks admitted to burying their daughter while she was at work.
He said that Janna died while he was watching her and Rivera-Gonzalez's two older children, according to the order.
The order is one of two active protection orders filed against Fairbanks.
The other, filed in June 2013, is associated with a charge of domestic battery that Fairbanks is facing in Hendricks County. Fairbanks is being held without bond in the Marion County Jail.
Judge Sheila Carlisle entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf.
A public defender has been assigned to his case.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
Abusive dad in custody after abducting 2-year-old son (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Dad is identified as TRAVIS LESTER.
http://www.okcfox.com/story/29909657/police-searching-for-missing-and-endangered-2-year-old
Missing 2-year-old found, father in custody
Posted: Aug 28, 2015 2:53 PM EDT Updated: Aug 28, 2015 5:56 PM EDT
By: Austin Prickett, Sr. Digital Content Manager
The Oklahoma City Police Department says a missing 2-year-old has been found in safe condition.
According to police, a 2-year-old boy was allegedly taken by his father Travis Lester, who does not have parental rights, Thursday at a metro Walmart. An Amber Alert was issued for the missing child at around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Just after 4 p.m. Friday, Lester and the child were found at a Motel 6 in Midwest City. Lester was then taken into custody.
The Oklahoma City Police Department says the child was taken around 4 p.m. Thursday by Lester from the Walmart near I-240 and Sante Fe. Police say Lester was armed with a pistol and made threats to harm the child.
Lester allegedly told the child's mother to withdraw money for him so she could buy him a shotgun. The boy's mother then went to the bathroom and Lester took off with boy. Police were then called to the business.
The victim told police Lester had threatened and abused her in the past. She also told police Lester's parental rights had been terminated and that Lester had been attempting to intimidate her into buying the gun for him.
Police investigating the incident observed bruises on the victim. Lester was convicted of second-degree burglary in 2010. In 2006, he was convicted of domestic assault and battery.
Lester will be booked into the Oklahoma County Jail.
http://www.okcfox.com/story/29909657/police-searching-for-missing-and-endangered-2-year-old
Missing 2-year-old found, father in custody
Posted: Aug 28, 2015 2:53 PM EDT Updated: Aug 28, 2015 5:56 PM EDT
By: Austin Prickett, Sr. Digital Content Manager
The Oklahoma City Police Department says a missing 2-year-old has been found in safe condition.
According to police, a 2-year-old boy was allegedly taken by his father Travis Lester, who does not have parental rights, Thursday at a metro Walmart. An Amber Alert was issued for the missing child at around 2:30 p.m. Friday. Just after 4 p.m. Friday, Lester and the child were found at a Motel 6 in Midwest City. Lester was then taken into custody.
The Oklahoma City Police Department says the child was taken around 4 p.m. Thursday by Lester from the Walmart near I-240 and Sante Fe. Police say Lester was armed with a pistol and made threats to harm the child.
Lester allegedly told the child's mother to withdraw money for him so she could buy him a shotgun. The boy's mother then went to the bathroom and Lester took off with boy. Police were then called to the business.
The victim told police Lester had threatened and abused her in the past. She also told police Lester's parental rights had been terminated and that Lester had been attempting to intimidate her into buying the gun for him.
Police investigating the incident observed bruises on the victim. Lester was convicted of second-degree burglary in 2010. In 2006, he was convicted of domestic assault and battery.
Lester will be booked into the Oklahoma County Jail.
Dad sets three children on fire (Perth, Australia)
Dad is identified as EDWARD JOHN HERBERT.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/perth-girl-doused-in-petrol-and-set-alight-hours-after-birthday-party/story-e6frg6n6-1227504347743
Perth girl doused in petrol and set alight hours after birthday party
PHIL HICKEY, KATE CAMPBELL AND TREVOR PADDENBURG
PERTHNOW AUGUST 30, 2015 2:00AM
A YOUNG girl who should be celebrating her fourth birthday on Monday is instead fighting for life in hospital after being doused with petrol and set alight.
Hours after an early birthday party, the three-year-old suffered “horrendous” burns to her face and upper body when she was allegedly set alight as she slept in her cot.
Neighbours who came to the aid of the girl and her siblings, who were also doused with petrol, were confronted by the horrific scene just after midnight Saturday on Holbeck Street, Doubleview.
The children’s mother ran from the home screaming, “He’s set the kids on fire”, a shocked resident told PerthNow.
An off-duty policewoman living across the road administered first aid and plunged the three-year-old in her bath to ease the burns.
Another resident confronted a man at the home and used a “chokehold” to restrain him.
Edward John Herbert, 43, believed to be the children’s dad, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday afternoon on five charges of aggravated grievous bodily harm, attempted grievous bodily harm, being armed with a filleting knife and dousing a victim in petrol.
The three-year-old girl was in a critical but stable condition at Princess Margaret Hospital late Saturday night, while her six-year-old sister and seven-year-old brother were both stable.
The shirtless and tattooed self-employed tiler, handcuffed and surrounded by four police officers in the dock, told the court he understood some of the charges before lapsing into an unresponsive state.
“He appears to have gone into some sort of state. He’s not responding,” Magistrate Jennifer Hawkins said as Herbert fell silent, bowed his head, closed his eyes and pulled strange faces.
Ms Hawkins said the accused needed to be seen by a mental health nurse and he was remanded in custody to reappear in court on Tuesday.
He then collapsed as he was dragged out of the dock.
Mr Herbert’s Facebook page reveals he loves his bull mastiff-staffordshire terrier dog and is proud of his many tattoos, including a homemade tattoo of a cross on his knuckle.
Mr Herbert collapsed during his court appearance on Saturday afternoon.
He also has his children’s names tattooed on his neck and has posted photos of them draped in the Australian flag.
The former Brisbane man captioned one photo: “My baby boy asleep love him to bits.”
In another post, he described one of his daughters as “my baby girl”.
One Holbeck Street resident said: “The children’s mother screamed, ‘Help, help, he’s set the kids on fire’.
“The two elder children appeared OK, they just smelled of fuel. But the youngest ... she was burnt horrendously. It just frightened the hell out of me.”
Another resident told how he restrained a man at the home until police arrived and took him into custody. “I ran into the house and put him in a chokehold until the cops arrived and soon enough he was out cold in a couple of seconds, ”the resident, who did not want to be named, said. “The house was a complete mess.”
Police were first called at 12.05am to reports of a man creating a disturbance.
At the scene, police officers were told that flammable liquid had been poured inside the house, with three children set on fire.
Neighbours came running to the house in Doubleview after hearing the children’s mum scream for help.
Detectives spent about an hour inside the house Saturday morning and left with a number of items.
A police spokeswoman said the investigation was ongoing and further charges were expected.
Other neighbours living in the street said they also saw a man arguing with a taxi driver on Thursday outside the home.
City of Stirling councillor Stephanie Proud, who lives near Holbeck Street, said she was “horrified that could happen anywhere, much less Doubleview”.
Former chairman of the Scarborough Beach Association and local real estate agent Tom O’Rourke, who also lives nearby, described the attack as “awful”.
“My heart goes out to the family. I’m shocked it can happen in such a quiet suburb. Society is really at the crossroads,” he said.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/perth-girl-doused-in-petrol-and-set-alight-hours-after-birthday-party/story-e6frg6n6-1227504347743
Perth girl doused in petrol and set alight hours after birthday party
PHIL HICKEY, KATE CAMPBELL AND TREVOR PADDENBURG
PERTHNOW AUGUST 30, 2015 2:00AM
A YOUNG girl who should be celebrating her fourth birthday on Monday is instead fighting for life in hospital after being doused with petrol and set alight.
Hours after an early birthday party, the three-year-old suffered “horrendous” burns to her face and upper body when she was allegedly set alight as she slept in her cot.
Neighbours who came to the aid of the girl and her siblings, who were also doused with petrol, were confronted by the horrific scene just after midnight Saturday on Holbeck Street, Doubleview.
The children’s mother ran from the home screaming, “He’s set the kids on fire”, a shocked resident told PerthNow.
An off-duty policewoman living across the road administered first aid and plunged the three-year-old in her bath to ease the burns.
Another resident confronted a man at the home and used a “chokehold” to restrain him.
Edward John Herbert, 43, believed to be the children’s dad, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday afternoon on five charges of aggravated grievous bodily harm, attempted grievous bodily harm, being armed with a filleting knife and dousing a victim in petrol.
The three-year-old girl was in a critical but stable condition at Princess Margaret Hospital late Saturday night, while her six-year-old sister and seven-year-old brother were both stable.
The shirtless and tattooed self-employed tiler, handcuffed and surrounded by four police officers in the dock, told the court he understood some of the charges before lapsing into an unresponsive state.
“He appears to have gone into some sort of state. He’s not responding,” Magistrate Jennifer Hawkins said as Herbert fell silent, bowed his head, closed his eyes and pulled strange faces.
Ms Hawkins said the accused needed to be seen by a mental health nurse and he was remanded in custody to reappear in court on Tuesday.
He then collapsed as he was dragged out of the dock.
Mr Herbert’s Facebook page reveals he loves his bull mastiff-staffordshire terrier dog and is proud of his many tattoos, including a homemade tattoo of a cross on his knuckle.
Mr Herbert collapsed during his court appearance on Saturday afternoon.
He also has his children’s names tattooed on his neck and has posted photos of them draped in the Australian flag.
The former Brisbane man captioned one photo: “My baby boy asleep love him to bits.”
In another post, he described one of his daughters as “my baby girl”.
One Holbeck Street resident said: “The children’s mother screamed, ‘Help, help, he’s set the kids on fire’.
“The two elder children appeared OK, they just smelled of fuel. But the youngest ... she was burnt horrendously. It just frightened the hell out of me.”
Another resident told how he restrained a man at the home until police arrived and took him into custody. “I ran into the house and put him in a chokehold until the cops arrived and soon enough he was out cold in a couple of seconds, ”the resident, who did not want to be named, said. “The house was a complete mess.”
Police were first called at 12.05am to reports of a man creating a disturbance.
At the scene, police officers were told that flammable liquid had been poured inside the house, with three children set on fire.
Neighbours came running to the house in Doubleview after hearing the children’s mum scream for help.
Detectives spent about an hour inside the house Saturday morning and left with a number of items.
A police spokeswoman said the investigation was ongoing and further charges were expected.
Other neighbours living in the street said they also saw a man arguing with a taxi driver on Thursday outside the home.
City of Stirling councillor Stephanie Proud, who lives near Holbeck Street, said she was “horrified that could happen anywhere, much less Doubleview”.
Former chairman of the Scarborough Beach Association and local real estate agent Tom O’Rourke, who also lives nearby, described the attack as “awful”.
“My heart goes out to the family. I’m shocked it can happen in such a quiet suburb. Society is really at the crossroads,” he said.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Dad to go on trial for blinding 4-month-old daughter (Tulsa, Oklahoma)
Dad is identified as CORNELIUS SHANKLIN.
http://www.newson6.com/story/29887864/oklahoma-father-accused-of-shaking-baby-to-blindness-will-stand-trial
Oklahoma Father Accused Of Shaking Baby To Blindness Will Stand Trial
Posted: Aug 26, 2015 6:54 PM EST Updated: Aug 26, 2015 7:53 PM EST
Lori Fullbright, News On 6
TULSA, Oklahoma - A Tulsa man must stand trial for child abuse after prosecutors say he shook his 4-month-old daughter so hard, she’s now blind.
A detective and a doctor testified against Cornelius Shanklin on Wednesday, and the judge ruled there's enough evidence for him to go to trial.
About a dozen members of the baby’s family showed up to support the case in court and they all wore matching T-shirts that say “Justice for MaAliyah."
MaAliyah's family members filled two rows inside the courtroom as they listened to the testimony of a child crisis detective and a pediatrician who specializes in abuse cases.
MaAliyah's mother, Mandy, waited outside the courtroom doors, ready to testify if needed against her husband.
The detective says Shanklin told police he was watching his daughter and toddler son the night MaAliyah was injured, and he could tell she had a skull fracture and didn't look right and wouldn't stop crying.
He told police he was upstairs and thought maybe she rolled off her pillow and hit her head or their son did something to her.
A pediatrician says MaAliyah did have a skull fracture in the back of her head, bleeding in her brain and both her retinas were detached.
She testified someone would have to violently shake a baby and hit her head on something to cause those injuries.
She testified a toddler isn't strong enough or coordinated enough to shake a baby that hard, and even if a toddler dropped the baby, it would only cause bruising, not those injuries.
She also testified the baby could not at that age roll over or crawl, so couldn't cause the injuries herself.
She told the judge MaAliyah likely will be blind the rest of her life.
"She's innocent,” the pediatrician said. “She couldn't protect herself."
As it turned out, MaAliyah's mother was not called to testify, and she was relieved to learn the judge ordered her husband to stand trial.
In addition to the child abuse charge, a charge of child neglect also was added.
Prosecutors argued Shanklin did not get medical help for MaAliyah in a timely manner.
http://www.newson6.com/story/29887864/oklahoma-father-accused-of-shaking-baby-to-blindness-will-stand-trial
Oklahoma Father Accused Of Shaking Baby To Blindness Will Stand Trial
Posted: Aug 26, 2015 6:54 PM EST Updated: Aug 26, 2015 7:53 PM EST
Lori Fullbright, News On 6
TULSA, Oklahoma - A Tulsa man must stand trial for child abuse after prosecutors say he shook his 4-month-old daughter so hard, she’s now blind.
A detective and a doctor testified against Cornelius Shanklin on Wednesday, and the judge ruled there's enough evidence for him to go to trial.
About a dozen members of the baby’s family showed up to support the case in court and they all wore matching T-shirts that say “Justice for MaAliyah."
MaAliyah's family members filled two rows inside the courtroom as they listened to the testimony of a child crisis detective and a pediatrician who specializes in abuse cases.
MaAliyah's mother, Mandy, waited outside the courtroom doors, ready to testify if needed against her husband.
The detective says Shanklin told police he was watching his daughter and toddler son the night MaAliyah was injured, and he could tell she had a skull fracture and didn't look right and wouldn't stop crying.
He told police he was upstairs and thought maybe she rolled off her pillow and hit her head or their son did something to her.
A pediatrician says MaAliyah did have a skull fracture in the back of her head, bleeding in her brain and both her retinas were detached.
She testified someone would have to violently shake a baby and hit her head on something to cause those injuries.
She testified a toddler isn't strong enough or coordinated enough to shake a baby that hard, and even if a toddler dropped the baby, it would only cause bruising, not those injuries.
She also testified the baby could not at that age roll over or crawl, so couldn't cause the injuries herself.
She told the judge MaAliyah likely will be blind the rest of her life.
"She's innocent,” the pediatrician said. “She couldn't protect herself."
As it turned out, MaAliyah's mother was not called to testify, and she was relieved to learn the judge ordered her husband to stand trial.
In addition to the child abuse charge, a charge of child neglect also was added.
Prosecutors argued Shanklin did not get medical help for MaAliyah in a timely manner.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Dad gets 11 years for death of 5-week-old daughter (Vista, California)
Dad is identified as LEE TRAHAN.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/aug/18/father-11-years-prison-baby-death-case-vista/
Father gets 11 years in baby death case
Defendant, who said child's injury was accidental, faced 25 years to life in prison
By Dana Littlefield | 2:08 p.m. Aug. 18, 2015 | Updated, 4:13 p.m.
VISTA — A father convicted of manslaughter in the death of his infant daughter three years ago was sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison.
A jury found Lee Trahan, 28, of Escondido guilty in February of voluntary manslaughter and assault on a child for causing the injuries that killed daughter Willow in 2012. The panel acquitted him of a second-degree murder charge.
Trahan, a former Marine who was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, contended in trial that he had accidentally banged Willow’s head against a door frame early one morning as he bent over to pick up a pacifier while holding his 5-week-old baby.
The District Attorney’s Office contended that Willow died as a result of abuse.
During the sentencing hearing Tuesday, attorneys on both sides of the case appeared to be operating under an understanding that Vista Superior Court Judge Harry Elias had only two options when it came to sentencing the defendant under the assault charge: probation or 25 years to life in prison.
Trahan’s lawyer, Brian J. White, argued that his client wasn’t someone who needed to be removed from society. Instead, he said, Trahan was a loving father with no previous criminal record, who had the strong support of his family.
“This is not somebody who’s dangerous,” White said.
Deputy District Attorney Michelle Ialeggio said she did not believe Trahan was “a monster,” and conceded that Trahan felt remorse over what happened to his daughter. But, the prosecutor said, evidence showed the baby was injured more than once while in her father’s care, and that the parents hesitated to seek immediate medical help on April 24, 2012, the day Trahan said he inadvertently hit the baby’s head.
#“He made the decision to sit there and wait until her body gave out…,” Ialeggio said.
Defense lawyers said the parents waited because Willow’s condition improved, but Ialeggio said it was because one of the baby’s injuries — a bruise or skin discoloration on her abdomen — had already drawn the attention of Child Protective Services earlier that month and they didn’t want to alert authorities again. The prosecutor said text messages exchanged between the couple support that contention.
Willow was rushed to a hospital three days after the door frame incident, after she stopped breathing. She died 10 days later.
The judge said it was the delay in seeking medical aid that helped him conclude that probation was inappropriate in this case, but a potential life sentence would be inappropriate as well.
Acknowledging that the prosecution might challenge his decision on appeal, Elias chose to sentence Trahan to an 11-year term on the manslaughter charge, and grant probation for the assault. The probation term will expire when Trahan is released from prison on parole.
“Ethically, I believe I’m doing the right thing,” said the judge, who denied a defense motion for a new trial before ordering the sentence.
Trahan will have to serve 85 percent of his prison term. He has credit for more than three years in custody.
The prosecutor argued in trial that Trahan and his wife, Jessica, were overwhelmed by the demands of caring for Willow and her twin brother, who were born six weeks premature. Citing testimony from a deputy medical examiner, the prosecutor said the blunt-force injuries Willow suffered, including a skull fracture and bruising on the brain, were too severe to be accidental.
Jessica Trahan was convicted of misdemeanor child neglect for failing to seek medical attention for Willow right away. At a previous hearing, the judge placed her on probation for four years and ordered her to complete 200 hours of community service.
Outside the courtroom Tuesday, White said Trahan was a “devoted husband and father,” and that what happened to his family was a tragedy, but would never happen again.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/aug/18/father-11-years-prison-baby-death-case-vista/
Father gets 11 years in baby death case
Defendant, who said child's injury was accidental, faced 25 years to life in prison
By Dana Littlefield | 2:08 p.m. Aug. 18, 2015 | Updated, 4:13 p.m.
VISTA — A father convicted of manslaughter in the death of his infant daughter three years ago was sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison.
A jury found Lee Trahan, 28, of Escondido guilty in February of voluntary manslaughter and assault on a child for causing the injuries that killed daughter Willow in 2012. The panel acquitted him of a second-degree murder charge.
Trahan, a former Marine who was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, contended in trial that he had accidentally banged Willow’s head against a door frame early one morning as he bent over to pick up a pacifier while holding his 5-week-old baby.
The District Attorney’s Office contended that Willow died as a result of abuse.
During the sentencing hearing Tuesday, attorneys on both sides of the case appeared to be operating under an understanding that Vista Superior Court Judge Harry Elias had only two options when it came to sentencing the defendant under the assault charge: probation or 25 years to life in prison.
Trahan’s lawyer, Brian J. White, argued that his client wasn’t someone who needed to be removed from society. Instead, he said, Trahan was a loving father with no previous criminal record, who had the strong support of his family.
“This is not somebody who’s dangerous,” White said.
Deputy District Attorney Michelle Ialeggio said she did not believe Trahan was “a monster,” and conceded that Trahan felt remorse over what happened to his daughter. But, the prosecutor said, evidence showed the baby was injured more than once while in her father’s care, and that the parents hesitated to seek immediate medical help on April 24, 2012, the day Trahan said he inadvertently hit the baby’s head.
#“He made the decision to sit there and wait until her body gave out…,” Ialeggio said.
Defense lawyers said the parents waited because Willow’s condition improved, but Ialeggio said it was because one of the baby’s injuries — a bruise or skin discoloration on her abdomen — had already drawn the attention of Child Protective Services earlier that month and they didn’t want to alert authorities again. The prosecutor said text messages exchanged between the couple support that contention.
Willow was rushed to a hospital three days after the door frame incident, after she stopped breathing. She died 10 days later.
The judge said it was the delay in seeking medical aid that helped him conclude that probation was inappropriate in this case, but a potential life sentence would be inappropriate as well.
Acknowledging that the prosecution might challenge his decision on appeal, Elias chose to sentence Trahan to an 11-year term on the manslaughter charge, and grant probation for the assault. The probation term will expire when Trahan is released from prison on parole.
“Ethically, I believe I’m doing the right thing,” said the judge, who denied a defense motion for a new trial before ordering the sentence.
Trahan will have to serve 85 percent of his prison term. He has credit for more than three years in custody.
The prosecutor argued in trial that Trahan and his wife, Jessica, were overwhelmed by the demands of caring for Willow and her twin brother, who were born six weeks premature. Citing testimony from a deputy medical examiner, the prosecutor said the blunt-force injuries Willow suffered, including a skull fracture and bruising on the brain, were too severe to be accidental.
Jessica Trahan was convicted of misdemeanor child neglect for failing to seek medical attention for Willow right away. At a previous hearing, the judge placed her on probation for four years and ordered her to complete 200 hours of community service.
Outside the courtroom Tuesday, White said Trahan was a “devoted husband and father,” and that what happened to his family was a tragedy, but would never happen again.
Dad gets life in prison for raping, sodomizing daughter for five years (Johnson County, Missouri)
No mention of the mother anywhere. I suspect that this was a custody/visitation situation, very possibly involving full custody for the father. Sexual abusers very often prefer to have full access/possession of their victims with no possibly interference from "pesky" moms.
Dad is identified as DARRON J. CHAPMAN.
http://www.gasconadecountyrepublican.com/news/owensville/article_715fc8fe-4bfd-11e5-97c3-b3fc9170a328.html
Life sentence for Chapman in child sex abuse case
Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2015 9:19 am | Updated: 11:15 am, Wed Aug 26, 2015.
Posted on Aug 26, 2015
by Dave Marner
A former area resident was sentenced Thursday to 75 years in prison for sexually abusing his own daughter over a 5-year period which ended this past summer with the his arrest.
Rob Russell, prosecuting attorney of Johnson County, said Johnson County Circuit Judge Mike Wagner sentenced Darron J. Chapman, now 38, to four “life terms” of 30 years, to be served concurrently, and three additional 15-year terms — to be served consecutively to each other — following completion of the 30-year terms.
Chapman pleaded guilty in June to felony charges of statutory rape, three counts of statutory sodomy, first-degree child molestation, and two counts of possession of child pornography.
“There really wasn’t going to be probation in this case,” said Russell. “The true depths of this tragedy, the horrible and despicable nature, was not really made public. As a father, this is a case that’s almost unfathomable and you hope you never have one like this again.”
Chapman admitted to raping and sodomizing his own daughter on her fifth birthday in 2008. He was also charged with deviate sexual intercourse with her on a Father’s Day. Russell said the sexual assaults took place over a 5-year period until the girl was 10-years-old.
The allegations first came to light last summer, said Russell. The girl had been working on a history project about the Civil War during the school year. Russell said she told authorities she had been reading about how slaves were considered property and how females were often exploited by their owners.
“She put two-and-two together and though she was being treated like women in those textbooks,” said Russell.
When the girl questioned her father about his actions, Russell said investigators learned Chapman showed his daughter video clips of child pornography.
“He showed her adult on child pornography and told her this was normal father-child behavior,” said Russell.
Details of his crimes came to light in June 2014 when the girl underwent a forensic examination conducted by staff at ChildSafe of Missouri in Sedalia, Mo.
Chapman, who has been jailed in lieu of a $500,000 cash only bond since his arrest in July 2014, pleaded guilty on June 15 to all seven felony charges against him.
“I still can’t get my head around this,” said Russell who was glad the case was over and that the sentencing reflected the crime’s impact on the victim. “I think that’s reflected on how the court’s thought process was applied in sentencing. “It’s just despicable what he did.”
Russell said nothing in the Warrensburg police department’s year-long investigation indicated there were any other victims other than Chapman’s daughter. Chapman resigned his position of 13 years as information technology director for the Warrensburg school district only days prior to being arrested last summer.
“There’s no indication he had any other victims in this case,” said Russell.
Chapman was arrested June 24, 2014, attempting to enter Gasconade County.
Dad is identified as DARRON J. CHAPMAN.
http://www.gasconadecountyrepublican.com/news/owensville/article_715fc8fe-4bfd-11e5-97c3-b3fc9170a328.html
Life sentence for Chapman in child sex abuse case
Posted: Wednesday, August 26, 2015 9:19 am | Updated: 11:15 am, Wed Aug 26, 2015.
Posted on Aug 26, 2015
by Dave Marner
A former area resident was sentenced Thursday to 75 years in prison for sexually abusing his own daughter over a 5-year period which ended this past summer with the his arrest.
Rob Russell, prosecuting attorney of Johnson County, said Johnson County Circuit Judge Mike Wagner sentenced Darron J. Chapman, now 38, to four “life terms” of 30 years, to be served concurrently, and three additional 15-year terms — to be served consecutively to each other — following completion of the 30-year terms.
Chapman pleaded guilty in June to felony charges of statutory rape, three counts of statutory sodomy, first-degree child molestation, and two counts of possession of child pornography.
“There really wasn’t going to be probation in this case,” said Russell. “The true depths of this tragedy, the horrible and despicable nature, was not really made public. As a father, this is a case that’s almost unfathomable and you hope you never have one like this again.”
Chapman admitted to raping and sodomizing his own daughter on her fifth birthday in 2008. He was also charged with deviate sexual intercourse with her on a Father’s Day. Russell said the sexual assaults took place over a 5-year period until the girl was 10-years-old.
The allegations first came to light last summer, said Russell. The girl had been working on a history project about the Civil War during the school year. Russell said she told authorities she had been reading about how slaves were considered property and how females were often exploited by their owners.
“She put two-and-two together and though she was being treated like women in those textbooks,” said Russell.
When the girl questioned her father about his actions, Russell said investigators learned Chapman showed his daughter video clips of child pornography.
“He showed her adult on child pornography and told her this was normal father-child behavior,” said Russell.
Details of his crimes came to light in June 2014 when the girl underwent a forensic examination conducted by staff at ChildSafe of Missouri in Sedalia, Mo.
Chapman, who has been jailed in lieu of a $500,000 cash only bond since his arrest in July 2014, pleaded guilty on June 15 to all seven felony charges against him.
“I still can’t get my head around this,” said Russell who was glad the case was over and that the sentencing reflected the crime’s impact on the victim. “I think that’s reflected on how the court’s thought process was applied in sentencing. “It’s just despicable what he did.”
Russell said nothing in the Warrensburg police department’s year-long investigation indicated there were any other victims other than Chapman’s daughter. Chapman resigned his position of 13 years as information technology director for the Warrensburg school district only days prior to being arrested last summer.
“There’s no indication he had any other victims in this case,” said Russell.
Chapman was arrested June 24, 2014, attempting to enter Gasconade County.
Custodial dad, step on trial for severe abuse of 11-year-old son (Gold Hill, Oregon)
Another one of those cases where the mother's existence is neatly written out of the story.
How did abuser dad LAWRENCE MILLARD get custody? And what happened to the mother? Is she deceased? If so, do we know for a fact that it's from natural causes? Has she "disappeared"? If so, do we know the circumstances? Is she alive, but beaten out by this sadistic torture freak in family court? What?
http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150825/NEWS/150829734
Gold Hill couple on trial for child abuse
Prosecution: Boy burned, tied up
A Gold Hill couple are on trial facing accusations they severely abused their 11-year-old son.
By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 25, 2015 at 5:54 PM
Nurse practitioner Diane Kutzke remembers her first impressions of an 11-year-old boy who came to her for treatment of his burned hands.
"He was a very polite, sweet little boy. He was thin — emaciated almost — with horrific burns," Kutzke said in a videotaped deposition, adding that unlike most children, he waited patiently while at the clinic, reading a Harry Potter book.
Kutzke said his swollen, reddish-purple hands had so much tissue damage she couldn't tell whether the burns were recent.
The Jackson County District Attorney's Office alleges the boy's stepmother, Angela Marie Millard of Gold Hill, said she would show the boy what hell felt like, then held his hands under scalding hot running water sometime around Thanksgiving 2014.
He didn't receive medical care for his burned, infected hands until early February, when his grandmother took him to a clinic in Washington state, prosecutors allege.
Angela Millard, 35, and her husband, Lawrence Millard, 38, the boy's biological father, are on trial this week in Jackson County Circuit Court facing a host of assault and criminal mistreatment charges. The trial is scheduled to continue through Thursday.
During the February health clinic visit, Kutzke said she also observed the boy had a broken tooth, a swollen foot, bruised legs and an injury to his face.
Fearing that his parents were traveling from Oregon and would pick him up at the Washington clinic, Kutzke called 911.
"I called 911 because it was clear to me he had been abused," she said in the deposition, which was played Monday during the trial. "I thought he was in imminent danger."
The Millards were arrested in February and lodged in the Jackson County Jail, where they remain on $100,000 bail each.
After interviewing the boy and conducting a search of the family's one-bedroom apartment, investigators said they found a blue rope the Millards allegedly had used to tie up the boy when Lawrence Millard went to work and Angela Millard — who was pregnant at the time — ran errands and went to her own doctor appointments.
The boy was allegedly left tied up so long he urinated and defecated on himself. Angry that his clothing then had to be taken to a laundromat for washing, the Millards allegedly responded by diapering the boy and then leaving him tied up, prosecutors said.
Testing revealed the boy's DNA on the rope, plus the DNA of both parents, according to court testimony.
Diaper packaging and a diaper — sized to fit a child between 38 and 65 pounds — were also found in the home, investigators said.
Jackson County sheriff's Detective Steve Bohn, who was part of the team that executed a search warrant on the Millards' home, said investigators found a broken tooth in the bathroom. A dentist later was able to affix the broken-off tooth to a tooth root in the boy's mouth, he said.
Prosecutors allege Angela Millard hit the boy so hard with a hairbrush she broke out the tooth. Lawrence Millard is accused of injuring the boy's legs by beating him with a table leg.
The boy is now being cared for by a foster family, along with his toddler sister and a baby sister who was born a few months ago, said Jackson County Deputy District Attorney Virginia Greer.
In a videotaped interview between the boy and Bohn that was played in court, the boy said he is glad he and his toddler sister were taken away from the Millards.
"She would probably die if my dad beat her like he did me. She's only 2," the boy said.
Prosecutors allege the Millards did not get medical attention for the boy, who is now 12, because they feared the alleged abuse would be discovered. They allegedly did not allow the boy to go to school after he was burned. School records show he stopped attending school.
The boy said his stepmother bandaged his hands, but did not take him to a doctor.
Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Colin Fagan, an expert in vulnerable victim and high-tech crime investigations, said a search of Lawrence Millard's laptop showed deleted content of the boy clad only in underwear with bandaged hands. The image was preserved on the Cloud, an Internet-based data storage system. #The photo was taken on Dec. 10, 2014, long before the boy's February visit to the Washington state clinic with his grandmother, Fagan testified.
Fagan said laptop and cellphone searches show someone in the household entered search terms for "What happens when CPS (Child Protective Services) is called on you," "When they come after you" and "CPS advice for parents."
Prosecutors said the parents made the boy write extensively as a punishment.
Bohn said investigators found numerous writings made by the boy as he referenced biblical scriptures and said he was trying to obey his parents so he would be allowed to go back to school. The writings were entered as evidence over the objections of the Millards' court-appointed defense attorneys, who said the submissions would be too prejudicial.
The defense attorneys said they would acknowledge some facts in the case are true, but that the prosecution's case is deficient because some facts are still in dispute.
As one punishment, Bohn said the boy had written, "I will listen to and love my family."
Bohn testified the boy wrote the sentence over and over again — 1,136 times.
How did abuser dad LAWRENCE MILLARD get custody? And what happened to the mother? Is she deceased? If so, do we know for a fact that it's from natural causes? Has she "disappeared"? If so, do we know the circumstances? Is she alive, but beaten out by this sadistic torture freak in family court? What?
http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20150825/NEWS/150829734
Gold Hill couple on trial for child abuse
Prosecution: Boy burned, tied up
A Gold Hill couple are on trial facing accusations they severely abused their 11-year-old son.
By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Posted Aug. 25, 2015 at 5:54 PM
Nurse practitioner Diane Kutzke remembers her first impressions of an 11-year-old boy who came to her for treatment of his burned hands.
"He was a very polite, sweet little boy. He was thin — emaciated almost — with horrific burns," Kutzke said in a videotaped deposition, adding that unlike most children, he waited patiently while at the clinic, reading a Harry Potter book.
Kutzke said his swollen, reddish-purple hands had so much tissue damage she couldn't tell whether the burns were recent.
The Jackson County District Attorney's Office alleges the boy's stepmother, Angela Marie Millard of Gold Hill, said she would show the boy what hell felt like, then held his hands under scalding hot running water sometime around Thanksgiving 2014.
He didn't receive medical care for his burned, infected hands until early February, when his grandmother took him to a clinic in Washington state, prosecutors allege.
Angela Millard, 35, and her husband, Lawrence Millard, 38, the boy's biological father, are on trial this week in Jackson County Circuit Court facing a host of assault and criminal mistreatment charges. The trial is scheduled to continue through Thursday.
During the February health clinic visit, Kutzke said she also observed the boy had a broken tooth, a swollen foot, bruised legs and an injury to his face.
Fearing that his parents were traveling from Oregon and would pick him up at the Washington clinic, Kutzke called 911.
"I called 911 because it was clear to me he had been abused," she said in the deposition, which was played Monday during the trial. "I thought he was in imminent danger."
The Millards were arrested in February and lodged in the Jackson County Jail, where they remain on $100,000 bail each.
After interviewing the boy and conducting a search of the family's one-bedroom apartment, investigators said they found a blue rope the Millards allegedly had used to tie up the boy when Lawrence Millard went to work and Angela Millard — who was pregnant at the time — ran errands and went to her own doctor appointments.
The boy was allegedly left tied up so long he urinated and defecated on himself. Angry that his clothing then had to be taken to a laundromat for washing, the Millards allegedly responded by diapering the boy and then leaving him tied up, prosecutors said.
Testing revealed the boy's DNA on the rope, plus the DNA of both parents, according to court testimony.
Diaper packaging and a diaper — sized to fit a child between 38 and 65 pounds — were also found in the home, investigators said.
Jackson County sheriff's Detective Steve Bohn, who was part of the team that executed a search warrant on the Millards' home, said investigators found a broken tooth in the bathroom. A dentist later was able to affix the broken-off tooth to a tooth root in the boy's mouth, he said.
Prosecutors allege Angela Millard hit the boy so hard with a hairbrush she broke out the tooth. Lawrence Millard is accused of injuring the boy's legs by beating him with a table leg.
The boy is now being cared for by a foster family, along with his toddler sister and a baby sister who was born a few months ago, said Jackson County Deputy District Attorney Virginia Greer.
In a videotaped interview between the boy and Bohn that was played in court, the boy said he is glad he and his toddler sister were taken away from the Millards.
"She would probably die if my dad beat her like he did me. She's only 2," the boy said.
Prosecutors allege the Millards did not get medical attention for the boy, who is now 12, because they feared the alleged abuse would be discovered. They allegedly did not allow the boy to go to school after he was burned. School records show he stopped attending school.
The boy said his stepmother bandaged his hands, but did not take him to a doctor.
Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Colin Fagan, an expert in vulnerable victim and high-tech crime investigations, said a search of Lawrence Millard's laptop showed deleted content of the boy clad only in underwear with bandaged hands. The image was preserved on the Cloud, an Internet-based data storage system. #The photo was taken on Dec. 10, 2014, long before the boy's February visit to the Washington state clinic with his grandmother, Fagan testified.
Fagan said laptop and cellphone searches show someone in the household entered search terms for "What happens when CPS (Child Protective Services) is called on you," "When they come after you" and "CPS advice for parents."
Prosecutors said the parents made the boy write extensively as a punishment.
Bohn said investigators found numerous writings made by the boy as he referenced biblical scriptures and said he was trying to obey his parents so he would be allowed to go back to school. The writings were entered as evidence over the objections of the Millards' court-appointed defense attorneys, who said the submissions would be too prejudicial.
The defense attorneys said they would acknowledge some facts in the case are true, but that the prosecution's case is deficient because some facts are still in dispute.
As one punishment, Bohn said the boy had written, "I will listen to and love my family."
Bohn testified the boy wrote the sentence over and over again — 1,136 times.
Dad sentenced to prison for abusing infant son (Charleston, West Virginia)
Dad is identified as SHAWN GRAVES.
http://www.wowktv.com/story/29836170/judge-denies-leniency-for-father-accused-of-shaking-4-month-old-son
Judge denies leniency for father accused of shaking 4-month-old son
Posted: Aug 19, 2015 5:15 PM EST Updated: Aug 19, 2015 5:27 PM EST
CHARLESTON, WV - A judge has denied leniency for a father sentenced on child neglect charges in the shaking of his infant son.
Shawn Graves, 21, of Charleston was denied leniency by Judge Paul Ferrell during a hearing Wednesday in Charleston. He was ordered back to prison to serve the 1 to 5 years for the crime, the maximum allowed by the state.
According to court documents, the baby boy was taken by EMS to Cabell Huntington Hospital in June 2014. Hospital staff determined the baby's injuries were not accidental. A brain bleed was discovered after a CT Scan was performed on the baby. Staff at the hospital believes he was shaken.
Miraculously the child survived.
Graves entered a Kennedy plea to the crime. A Kennedy plea a guilty plea in criminal court, whereby a defendant in a criminal case does not admit the criminal act and asserts innocence.
The baby's mother, Shay Harper, believes Graves' sentence isn't enough.
"I want to hear him call me 'Momma' one day and tell me he loves me too. I want him to go to school and not be laughed at because he's different," Harper said. "I want him to have his own free will as he should. I want to see him go to prom, get a girlfriend, play sports, go to college and be successful, that's the life you've taken from him."
Doctors say the child's recovery has surpassed expectations. They say his hearing has improved and he is able to stand with the help of equipment.
http://www.wowktv.com/story/29836170/judge-denies-leniency-for-father-accused-of-shaking-4-month-old-son
Judge denies leniency for father accused of shaking 4-month-old son
Posted: Aug 19, 2015 5:15 PM EST Updated: Aug 19, 2015 5:27 PM EST
CHARLESTON, WV - A judge has denied leniency for a father sentenced on child neglect charges in the shaking of his infant son.
Shawn Graves, 21, of Charleston was denied leniency by Judge Paul Ferrell during a hearing Wednesday in Charleston. He was ordered back to prison to serve the 1 to 5 years for the crime, the maximum allowed by the state.
According to court documents, the baby boy was taken by EMS to Cabell Huntington Hospital in June 2014. Hospital staff determined the baby's injuries were not accidental. A brain bleed was discovered after a CT Scan was performed on the baby. Staff at the hospital believes he was shaken.
Miraculously the child survived.
Graves entered a Kennedy plea to the crime. A Kennedy plea a guilty plea in criminal court, whereby a defendant in a criminal case does not admit the criminal act and asserts innocence.
The baby's mother, Shay Harper, believes Graves' sentence isn't enough.
"I want to hear him call me 'Momma' one day and tell me he loves me too. I want him to go to school and not be laughed at because he's different," Harper said. "I want him to have his own free will as he should. I want to see him go to prom, get a girlfriend, play sports, go to college and be successful, that's the life you've taken from him."
Doctors say the child's recovery has surpassed expectations. They say his hearing has improved and he is able to stand with the help of equipment.
Dad on trial for murder of 5-week-old daughter (Glasgow, Scotland)
Dad is identified as IAN RUDDOCK.
http://news.stv.tv/west-central/1327024-ian-ruddock-accused-of-daughters-murder-performed-cpr-before-her-death/
Father accused of baby's murder 'performed CPR' before her death
STV 20 August 2015 15:37 BST
The estranged wife of a man accused of murdering his five-week-old daughter has told a court he performed CPR on the girl before she was taken to hospital.
Wendy Ruddock, 37, told a jury that her partner Ian sounded panicked when he told her to phone an ambulance after Olivia stopped breathing.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Thursday how the infant became ill during an early morning feed.
The court heard how Ruddock performed CPR on the youngster before she was taken to Yorkhill hospital in Glasgow.
Medics there tried to save Olivia's life and Ms Ruddock said she remembered seeing the infant hooked up to a number of "machines".
However, the court heard that doctors concluded that she "couldn't survive" her injuries.
Recalling what doctors told her before Olivia passed away, Ms Ruddock said: "They said 'she won't survive this,' and they switched off the machines."
Mrs Ruddock, of Clarkston, Glasgow, was giving evidence on the second day of proceedings against her husband, who lives in the city's Shawlands area.
He denies charges of murder, attempted murder and assault.
On Thursday, Mrs Ruddock told the court he had got up from bed in the early hours one morning to feed their daughter.
But during the feed, Olivia became unwell, prompting him to shout for her.
Saying he sounded panicked, Mrs Ruddock told prosecution lawyer Ashley Edwards: "I knew something wasn't right.
"He shouted on me to phone an ambulance which I did immediately. "The person on the other end of the phone was trying to talk us through CPR. But it was just panic stations."
Mrs Ruddock, who works in financial services, said her husband performed CPR on Olivia "as best he could".
She told the court: "You're not really thinking straight."
Mrs Ruddock also said that her husband went with Olivia in the ambulance.
She added: "I was in a terrible state."
Mrs Ruddock also told the court that at Yorkhill, medics conducted tests in a bid to find out what had made Olivia unwell.
She added: "I just remember Olivia being hooked up to a lot of machines."
Mrs Ruddock also told the court that medics concluded that they couldn't save Olivia's life.
She added: "The damage was too extensive and she couldn't survive."
The court heard that following Olivia's death, police interviewed both her and her husband.
Her daughter's body was not released to her family for six months.
Mrs Ruddock also told the court that she received counselling from the Scottish Cot Death Trust following the death of Olivia.
She said that her husband helped her in the weeks following Olivia's passing.
Mrs Ruddock added: "He was great. He was the one who sorted everything out. He was the one who got counselling for me. He was the one who lifted the phone as I couldn't even do that."
She also told the court that Mr Ruddock was "good" with children.
Mrs Ruddock told the court: "He certainly was very good with children. He was good with kids. He was good with my nieces and nephews.
"Whenever there was a family get together they would go to him. It seemed to be something that ran in his family."
The court also heard that the couple were now separated.
When Ms Edwards asked whether she thought their marriage would survive the trial, Ms Ruddock replied: "It's probably at an end."
Prosecutors allege that in 2009, Mr Ruddock assaulted a child at an address in the south side of Glasgow.
Crown lawyers also allege that on various locations between January 27, 2011 and March 6, 2011, at a house in Clarkston, Glasgow, he assaulted his daughter Olivia.
Prosecutors allege that he seized hold of Olivia, compressed her chest and rib cage with his hands before shaking her repeatedly.
It is also claimed that Ruddock "inflicted blunt force trauma" to her head and that she subsequently died at Yorkhill hospital on March 6, 2011.
The third charge charges that he attempted to murder another child two years ago at an address in Glasgow.
Ruddock is represented by advocate Donald Findlay QC. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial, before judge Lord Bannatyne, continues.
http://news.stv.tv/west-central/1327024-ian-ruddock-accused-of-daughters-murder-performed-cpr-before-her-death/
Father accused of baby's murder 'performed CPR' before her death
STV 20 August 2015 15:37 BST
The estranged wife of a man accused of murdering his five-week-old daughter has told a court he performed CPR on the girl before she was taken to hospital.
Wendy Ruddock, 37, told a jury that her partner Ian sounded panicked when he told her to phone an ambulance after Olivia stopped breathing.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Thursday how the infant became ill during an early morning feed.
The court heard how Ruddock performed CPR on the youngster before she was taken to Yorkhill hospital in Glasgow.
Medics there tried to save Olivia's life and Ms Ruddock said she remembered seeing the infant hooked up to a number of "machines".
However, the court heard that doctors concluded that she "couldn't survive" her injuries.
Recalling what doctors told her before Olivia passed away, Ms Ruddock said: "They said 'she won't survive this,' and they switched off the machines."
Mrs Ruddock, of Clarkston, Glasgow, was giving evidence on the second day of proceedings against her husband, who lives in the city's Shawlands area.
He denies charges of murder, attempted murder and assault.
On Thursday, Mrs Ruddock told the court he had got up from bed in the early hours one morning to feed their daughter.
But during the feed, Olivia became unwell, prompting him to shout for her.
Saying he sounded panicked, Mrs Ruddock told prosecution lawyer Ashley Edwards: "I knew something wasn't right.
"He shouted on me to phone an ambulance which I did immediately. "The person on the other end of the phone was trying to talk us through CPR. But it was just panic stations."
Mrs Ruddock, who works in financial services, said her husband performed CPR on Olivia "as best he could".
She told the court: "You're not really thinking straight."
Mrs Ruddock also said that her husband went with Olivia in the ambulance.
She added: "I was in a terrible state."
Mrs Ruddock also told the court that at Yorkhill, medics conducted tests in a bid to find out what had made Olivia unwell.
She added: "I just remember Olivia being hooked up to a lot of machines."
Mrs Ruddock also told the court that medics concluded that they couldn't save Olivia's life.
She added: "The damage was too extensive and she couldn't survive."
The court heard that following Olivia's death, police interviewed both her and her husband.
Her daughter's body was not released to her family for six months.
Mrs Ruddock also told the court that she received counselling from the Scottish Cot Death Trust following the death of Olivia.
She said that her husband helped her in the weeks following Olivia's passing.
Mrs Ruddock added: "He was great. He was the one who sorted everything out. He was the one who got counselling for me. He was the one who lifted the phone as I couldn't even do that."
She also told the court that Mr Ruddock was "good" with children.
Mrs Ruddock told the court: "He certainly was very good with children. He was good with kids. He was good with my nieces and nephews.
"Whenever there was a family get together they would go to him. It seemed to be something that ran in his family."
The court also heard that the couple were now separated.
When Ms Edwards asked whether she thought their marriage would survive the trial, Ms Ruddock replied: "It's probably at an end."
Prosecutors allege that in 2009, Mr Ruddock assaulted a child at an address in the south side of Glasgow.
Crown lawyers also allege that on various locations between January 27, 2011 and March 6, 2011, at a house in Clarkston, Glasgow, he assaulted his daughter Olivia.
Prosecutors allege that he seized hold of Olivia, compressed her chest and rib cage with his hands before shaking her repeatedly.
It is also claimed that Ruddock "inflicted blunt force trauma" to her head and that she subsequently died at Yorkhill hospital on March 6, 2011.
The third charge charges that he attempted to murder another child two years ago at an address in Glasgow.
Ruddock is represented by advocate Donald Findlay QC. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial, before judge Lord Bannatyne, continues.
Dad sentenced to 25 years in prison for death of 2-month-old son (Sioux City, Iowa)
Dad is identified as MICHAEL WILLIAMS.
http://www.kcci.com/news/father-sentenced-in-sons-malnutrition-death/34820022
Father sentenced in son’s malnutrition death
Published 7:41 AM CDT Aug 20, 2015
SIOUX CITY, Iowa —A 28-year-old Sioux City man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in the death of his 2-month-old son and neglect of his two other children.
The Sioux City Journal reports Michael Williams pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges including child endangerment resulting in serious injury. The sentence is part of a plea deal.
According to authorities, 2-month-old Leonard Williams was taken to a hospital on April 29, 2014.
Authorities say an autopsy showed the child died of malnutrition and dehydration.
http://www.kcci.com/news/father-sentenced-in-sons-malnutrition-death/34820022
Father sentenced in son’s malnutrition death
Published 7:41 AM CDT Aug 20, 2015
SIOUX CITY, Iowa —A 28-year-old Sioux City man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison in the death of his 2-month-old son and neglect of his two other children.
The Sioux City Journal reports Michael Williams pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges including child endangerment resulting in serious injury. The sentence is part of a plea deal.
According to authorities, 2-month-old Leonard Williams was taken to a hospital on April 29, 2014.
Authorities say an autopsy showed the child died of malnutrition and dehydration.
Toddler dies years after being assaulted by dad, who was a "caretaker" with a criminal history of assault (St. Louis, Missouri)
Generally, fathers with a history of criminal assault are not great candidates for child caregivers.
We desperately need other options so mothers can stay in school.
Dad is identified as RUFUS LITTLE.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-toddler-shaken-as-infant-dies-father-still-in/article_8f0d3af2-c25e-5d70-aef3-7d1ac0365c99.html
Toddler dies years after he was violently shaken by father at St. Louis home
August 21, 2015 2:15 am • By Joel Currier
ST. LOUIS • A young boy severely abused as an infant by his father several years ago has died of his injuries, authorities said.
Karon J. Little, who was 3 months old in December 2011 when he was vigorously shaken in his home, died about 9 a.m. Tuesday at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.
Police have said the boy’s father, Rufus Little, shook Karon while caring for him Dec. 15, 2011, at the family’s home in the 4400 block of St. Louis Avenue.
Paramedics were sent to the home about 7:20 p.m. that day and found Karon without a pulse and not breathing, court records say. Two other children, who were 2 and 5 years old at the time, were also under Little’s care.
Little told police that he had been watching the three children at the home while his wife, who was Karon’s mother, was at school. Little told police that when he grew frustrated with the two older children, Karon began crying, and he picked up Karon and shook him “violently” until he stopped.
Little told police he then put Karon in his crib, checked on him an hour later and found him unresponsive. Karon suffered severe brain injuries and was reported in critical condition.
Little was charged that month with first-degree assault and abuse of a child.
After a five-day trial that ended Nov. 1, 2013, a jury found the boy’s father guilty of second-degree assault and child abuse. In January 2014, Little was sentenced to seven years in prison. Little, now 52, is serving that sentence at the Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City.
Susan Ryan, a spokeswoman for St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, said prosecutors are reviewing the case “and exploring what legal options we have.”
The child had been in state custody since the abuse, but it was not clear where he received medical care, authorities said.
Little’s appeal on the assault and abuse convictions is pending, court records say. His public defender, Amy Lowe, declined to comment Thursday until she could get permission from Little.
Court records say that in addition to child abuse, Little’s criminal history includes drug and assault convictions in Virginia.
We desperately need other options so mothers can stay in school.
Dad is identified as RUFUS LITTLE.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-toddler-shaken-as-infant-dies-father-still-in/article_8f0d3af2-c25e-5d70-aef3-7d1ac0365c99.html
Toddler dies years after he was violently shaken by father at St. Louis home
August 21, 2015 2:15 am • By Joel Currier
ST. LOUIS • A young boy severely abused as an infant by his father several years ago has died of his injuries, authorities said.
Karon J. Little, who was 3 months old in December 2011 when he was vigorously shaken in his home, died about 9 a.m. Tuesday at Children’s Hospital in St. Louis.
Police have said the boy’s father, Rufus Little, shook Karon while caring for him Dec. 15, 2011, at the family’s home in the 4400 block of St. Louis Avenue.
Paramedics were sent to the home about 7:20 p.m. that day and found Karon without a pulse and not breathing, court records say. Two other children, who were 2 and 5 years old at the time, were also under Little’s care.
Little told police that he had been watching the three children at the home while his wife, who was Karon’s mother, was at school. Little told police that when he grew frustrated with the two older children, Karon began crying, and he picked up Karon and shook him “violently” until he stopped.
Little told police he then put Karon in his crib, checked on him an hour later and found him unresponsive. Karon suffered severe brain injuries and was reported in critical condition.
Little was charged that month with first-degree assault and abuse of a child.
After a five-day trial that ended Nov. 1, 2013, a jury found the boy’s father guilty of second-degree assault and child abuse. In January 2014, Little was sentenced to seven years in prison. Little, now 52, is serving that sentence at the Algoa Correctional Center in Jefferson City.
Susan Ryan, a spokeswoman for St. Louis Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce, said prosecutors are reviewing the case “and exploring what legal options we have.”
The child had been in state custody since the abuse, but it was not clear where he received medical care, authorities said.
Little’s appeal on the assault and abuse convictions is pending, court records say. His public defender, Amy Lowe, declined to comment Thursday until she could get permission from Little.
Court records say that in addition to child abuse, Little’s criminal history includes drug and assault convictions in Virginia.
Dad admits to squeezing 5-week-old son to death; charged with 1st-degree felony murder (Washington, DC)
Dad is identified as ROBERT SMITH SR.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/washington-d-c-father-admits-to-squeezing-5-week-old-son-to-death/
By Crimesider Staff CBS News August 20, 2015, 2:40 PM
D.C. father admits to squeezing 5-week-old son to death
WUSA9
WASHINGTON -- The D.C. man arrested for the Aug. 4 death of a five-week-old infant admitted he would squeeze the child to get him to stop crying, reports CBS affiliate WUSA.
Robert Smith Sr. of Northwest, D.C. was charged with first degree felony murder in connection with the death of five-week-old Robert Smith Jr. of Northwest, D.C., police said.
Smith admitted in court that when the child would become fussy, he would squeeze the child to stop him from crying, reports the station. He reportedly did this throughout the infant's short life. According to court documents, Smith called himself a "monster" and says no one else, including the baby's mother, knew what he was doing.
According to reports, officers responded to the D.C. house where the infant was found for a death investigation on the afternoon of Aug. 4th. According to the station, the officers found a man performing CPR on an infant child when they arrived on scene.
The baby was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, reports the affiliate. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force injuries in the manner of homicide, police said.
According to the station, police had previously stated that there was nothing suspicious about the infant's death.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/washington-d-c-father-admits-to-squeezing-5-week-old-son-to-death/
By Crimesider Staff CBS News August 20, 2015, 2:40 PM
D.C. father admits to squeezing 5-week-old son to death
WUSA9
WASHINGTON -- The D.C. man arrested for the Aug. 4 death of a five-week-old infant admitted he would squeeze the child to get him to stop crying, reports CBS affiliate WUSA.
Robert Smith Sr. of Northwest, D.C. was charged with first degree felony murder in connection with the death of five-week-old Robert Smith Jr. of Northwest, D.C., police said.
Smith admitted in court that when the child would become fussy, he would squeeze the child to stop him from crying, reports the station. He reportedly did this throughout the infant's short life. According to court documents, Smith called himself a "monster" and says no one else, including the baby's mother, knew what he was doing.
According to reports, officers responded to the D.C. house where the infant was found for a death investigation on the afternoon of Aug. 4th. According to the station, the officers found a man performing CPR on an infant child when they arrived on scene.
The baby was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, reports the affiliate. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force injuries in the manner of homicide, police said.
According to the station, police had previously stated that there was nothing suspicious about the infant's death.
Dad in "child custody dispute" nearly succeeds in killing 6-year-old daughter in murder-suicide; protective mother's efforts to protect child blocked by courts (Orlando, Florida)
Once again we have the Clueless Neighbor quote. You know, the once where it is insisted that the child killer (or in this case, would-be child killer) is really a Good Guy.
The mother obviously knew that dad ROBERT MERRITT was potentially dangerous, as she tried to get the courts to give her an emergency child pick-up order, which, of course, the officials denied. This being the state of Florida, a huge fathers rights state and all.
Florida generally leads the U.S. in violent fathers with custody rights who kill children.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-man-child-injured-arson-fire-orlando-20150820-story.html
OPD: Dad allegedly wrote on Facebook he, his daughter were going to 'better place'
Man pulled from fire charged with arson, attempted murder
The man rescued from a house fire Thursday morning along with his 6-year-old daughter was charged with arson and attempted murder.
By David Harris and Stephanie Allen Staff Writer
Orange County Sheriff's Office Officers found girl pressed to window, trying to breathe in burning home
Officers pull 6-year-old girl, her unconscious father from burning home
An Orange County Sheriff's Office dispatcher allegedly wrote in a post on Facebook that he and his daughter were "going to a better place" before setting the house on fire Thursday morning with both of them inside,
Orlando Police Chief John Mina said. But before 49-year-old Robert Merritt's alleged wish could become reality, a team of Orlando police officers jumped into action to save Merritt, his 6-year-old daughter and the family dog.
Merritt, who has been a dispatcher with county since 1989, was charged with attempted murder and arson. He remains in critical condition at a local hospital. His daughter was in stable condition and should be OK, officials said.
Mina said there were "multiple points where the fire started." He did not say what accelerant was used.
The officers were responding around 5 a.m. to the home on Betty Street in a neighborhood off Bumby Avenue just north of East Colonial Drive for a well-being check after someone saw the post on Merritt's Facebook page, Mina said.
Sgt. Joe Capece said officers smelled smoke as soon as they got out of their squad cars. The house was dark when officers got there, but they walked around, shining flashlights inside windows. That's when they saw the smoke and the young girl struggling to get air from a small opening in a bedroom window.
Capece and Officer Mike Turner broke the glass, and officers Chris Valenti and Russell Sayer pulled the girl out. She was coughing, and covered in black soot.
Officers then saw Merritt laying on a bed.
They broke another window and dragged him outside, too.
Merritt wasn't breathing so Turner and Officer Kevin Geschke did CPR.
He started breathing just as emergency medical crews arrived and took him to the hospital, police said. Inside the house, officers also found the family's dog — a Labrador mix named Pepper — and pulled it to safety.
At first the dog was struggling to breathe.
"He must have cleared his lungs, because he just popped up and started running around," said Capece.
Animal control took custody of the dog. Capece said the officers acted quickly and efficiently. "I'm very proud of the squad and the way they worked," Capece said. "To be (quick and efficient), that's what it takes to safe lives."
Mina called their actions heroic.
Neighbor Estella Floyd watched the whole incident transpire. She said emergency crews laid Merritt on the grass outside her house and set the girl on her front step.
Floyd said Merritt, who goes by Bobby, and his daughter are always friendly and "very good people." She said Merritt has been in a wheelchair since she met him more than 20 years ago, and she sees the father-daughter duo outside almost every day.
Court records indicate Merritt and his wife, Brenda Merritt, filed for divorce in 2011 and were going through a child custody dispute.
Last week, Brenda Merritt filed a motion for an "emergency pick-up" of a child, but it was apparently denied, court records show.
The mother obviously knew that dad ROBERT MERRITT was potentially dangerous, as she tried to get the courts to give her an emergency child pick-up order, which, of course, the officials denied. This being the state of Florida, a huge fathers rights state and all.
Florida generally leads the U.S. in violent fathers with custody rights who kill children.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-man-child-injured-arson-fire-orlando-20150820-story.html
OPD: Dad allegedly wrote on Facebook he, his daughter were going to 'better place'
Man pulled from fire charged with arson, attempted murder
The man rescued from a house fire Thursday morning along with his 6-year-old daughter was charged with arson and attempted murder.
By David Harris and Stephanie Allen Staff Writer
Orange County Sheriff's Office Officers found girl pressed to window, trying to breathe in burning home
Officers pull 6-year-old girl, her unconscious father from burning home
An Orange County Sheriff's Office dispatcher allegedly wrote in a post on Facebook that he and his daughter were "going to a better place" before setting the house on fire Thursday morning with both of them inside,
Orlando Police Chief John Mina said. But before 49-year-old Robert Merritt's alleged wish could become reality, a team of Orlando police officers jumped into action to save Merritt, his 6-year-old daughter and the family dog.
Merritt, who has been a dispatcher with county since 1989, was charged with attempted murder and arson. He remains in critical condition at a local hospital. His daughter was in stable condition and should be OK, officials said.
Mina said there were "multiple points where the fire started." He did not say what accelerant was used.
The officers were responding around 5 a.m. to the home on Betty Street in a neighborhood off Bumby Avenue just north of East Colonial Drive for a well-being check after someone saw the post on Merritt's Facebook page, Mina said.
Sgt. Joe Capece said officers smelled smoke as soon as they got out of their squad cars. The house was dark when officers got there, but they walked around, shining flashlights inside windows. That's when they saw the smoke and the young girl struggling to get air from a small opening in a bedroom window.
Capece and Officer Mike Turner broke the glass, and officers Chris Valenti and Russell Sayer pulled the girl out. She was coughing, and covered in black soot.
Officers then saw Merritt laying on a bed.
They broke another window and dragged him outside, too.
Merritt wasn't breathing so Turner and Officer Kevin Geschke did CPR.
He started breathing just as emergency medical crews arrived and took him to the hospital, police said. Inside the house, officers also found the family's dog — a Labrador mix named Pepper — and pulled it to safety.
At first the dog was struggling to breathe.
"He must have cleared his lungs, because he just popped up and started running around," said Capece.
Animal control took custody of the dog. Capece said the officers acted quickly and efficiently. "I'm very proud of the squad and the way they worked," Capece said. "To be (quick and efficient), that's what it takes to safe lives."
Mina called their actions heroic.
Neighbor Estella Floyd watched the whole incident transpire. She said emergency crews laid Merritt on the grass outside her house and set the girl on her front step.
Floyd said Merritt, who goes by Bobby, and his daughter are always friendly and "very good people." She said Merritt has been in a wheelchair since she met him more than 20 years ago, and she sees the father-daughter duo outside almost every day.
Court records indicate Merritt and his wife, Brenda Merritt, filed for divorce in 2011 and were going through a child custody dispute.
Last week, Brenda Merritt filed a motion for an "emergency pick-up" of a child, but it was apparently denied, court records show.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Dad charged with abusing 40-day-old daughter (Ocala, Florida)
Dad is identified as DEVIN JOHN CHAMPAGNE.
http://www.ocala.com/article/20150821/ARTICLES/150829950/1005/sports01?p=1&tc=pg
Father charged with child abuse
By Austin L. Miller Staff writer Published: Friday, August 21, 2015 at 4:58 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, August 21, 2015 at 4:58 p.m.
OCALA – Without hesitation, Devin John Champagne said he deserves to be locked up at the Marion County Jail for abusing his infant daughter.
Champagne said the girl, Skylar Champagne, is 40 days old and that he broke her arm because he was frustrated.
“Yes, I think I should be arrested because I did it. I was trying to calm her down from her being fussy,” said the 18-year-old Champagne during an interview Friday afternoon while he was sitting on an aluminum bench at the jail.
Champagne was arrested Thursday by Marion County Sheriff's Office detective Thomas Newbanks and was charged with aggravated child abuse and child abuse.
On Friday, Champagne faced a judge via video link from the jail to the courthouse. He said his bail was set at $25,000 and that he is being represented by the Public Defender's Office.
According to Newbanks' report, the baby has six possible fractures: Three in her right leg, one in her left arm and two in her ribs.
Champagne agreed to take a polygraph, which, officials said, he failed. Champagne was then interviewed by Newbanks and admitted grabbing the baby's arm and forcefully twisting and pushing down. He said he heard a pop and realized the girl was injured. He also said that, at times, he would forcefully hold the victim's legs down, according to Newbanks' report.
Officials said they believe the fractures to the baby's legs may have come from Champagne holding her legs.
During the interview at the jail, Champagne, said he did not know why his daughter was fussing and that he had her arms folded “trying to calm her down" and "heard a pop.” He said Skylar was “never a quiet child” and has always been a “very active child.” He said any other injuries sustained by his daughter were not made by him.
Newbanks' report states that personnel at a hospital told him the injuries suffered by the child were indicative of child abuse.
Newbanks talked with the girl's mother, who said she and Champagne went out and left the child with his mother. When they got home, she said, her daughter was fine and was sleeping. She said she left the bedroom and was outside for about two to five minutes. When she came back inside, she said, Champagne told her it appeared their child was injured.
Champagne's mother told the detective that her son and the child's mother had been arguing all day and that she had gone to Wal-Mart to pick up her grandchild from its parents. She said when she got home, the child was fine. The woman said she was at the home when the child was injured and that she is the one who took her to the hospital.
Champagne said that as far as he knows, his daughter is at an Orlando hospital under the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
A DCF spokesperson confirmed Friday that the infant remains in an Orlando hospital and said she will be sheltered from Champagne. As the investigation continues, the representative said, the child may be released to her mother.
http://www.ocala.com/article/20150821/ARTICLES/150829950/1005/sports01?p=1&tc=pg
Father charged with child abuse
By Austin L. Miller Staff writer Published: Friday, August 21, 2015 at 4:58 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, August 21, 2015 at 4:58 p.m.
OCALA – Without hesitation, Devin John Champagne said he deserves to be locked up at the Marion County Jail for abusing his infant daughter.
Champagne said the girl, Skylar Champagne, is 40 days old and that he broke her arm because he was frustrated.
“Yes, I think I should be arrested because I did it. I was trying to calm her down from her being fussy,” said the 18-year-old Champagne during an interview Friday afternoon while he was sitting on an aluminum bench at the jail.
Champagne was arrested Thursday by Marion County Sheriff's Office detective Thomas Newbanks and was charged with aggravated child abuse and child abuse.
On Friday, Champagne faced a judge via video link from the jail to the courthouse. He said his bail was set at $25,000 and that he is being represented by the Public Defender's Office.
According to Newbanks' report, the baby has six possible fractures: Three in her right leg, one in her left arm and two in her ribs.
Champagne agreed to take a polygraph, which, officials said, he failed. Champagne was then interviewed by Newbanks and admitted grabbing the baby's arm and forcefully twisting and pushing down. He said he heard a pop and realized the girl was injured. He also said that, at times, he would forcefully hold the victim's legs down, according to Newbanks' report.
Officials said they believe the fractures to the baby's legs may have come from Champagne holding her legs.
During the interview at the jail, Champagne, said he did not know why his daughter was fussing and that he had her arms folded “trying to calm her down" and "heard a pop.” He said Skylar was “never a quiet child” and has always been a “very active child.” He said any other injuries sustained by his daughter were not made by him.
Newbanks' report states that personnel at a hospital told him the injuries suffered by the child were indicative of child abuse.
Newbanks talked with the girl's mother, who said she and Champagne went out and left the child with his mother. When they got home, she said, her daughter was fine and was sleeping. She said she left the bedroom and was outside for about two to five minutes. When she came back inside, she said, Champagne told her it appeared their child was injured.
Champagne's mother told the detective that her son and the child's mother had been arguing all day and that she had gone to Wal-Mart to pick up her grandchild from its parents. She said when she got home, the child was fine. The woman said she was at the home when the child was injured and that she is the one who took her to the hospital.
Champagne said that as far as he knows, his daughter is at an Orlando hospital under the custody of the Department of Children and Families.
A DCF spokesperson confirmed Friday that the infant remains in an Orlando hospital and said she will be sheltered from Champagne. As the investigation continues, the representative said, the child may be released to her mother.
Dad convicted of murder of 3-year-old son (Memphis, Tennessee)
Dad is identified as JAMIE JONES. Sounds like a custody/visitation situation.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/29864956/father-convicted-of-murder-of-3-year-old-son
Father convicted of murder of 3-year-old son
Posted: Aug 24, 2015 10:29 AM EST Updated: Aug 24, 2015 3:39 PM EST
By WMCActionNews5.com
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A father was convicted of first-degree murder after his son died of blunt-force injuries.
According to Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich, a judge sentenced 28-year-old Jamie Jones to life in prison. In January 2013, Jones said he found 3-year-old Landon Stokes unresponsive. He told investigators that he had sent the child out to the car to wait for him. When Jones came outside, he said he found the boy at the bottom of the stairs. Jones then took the boy to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
During his trial, Jones admitted spanking the child the day he took him to the hospital. Medical personnel said the serious head and body injuries that Stokes sustained didn't look consistent with a fall down the stairs.
The Shelby County Medical Examiner said the boy had 116 external injures and several internal injuries.
Jones was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder, one in perpetration of aggravated child abuse and one in perpetration of aggravated child neglect.
A judge will sentence Jones on the child abuse and neglect charges in September.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/29864956/father-convicted-of-murder-of-3-year-old-son
Father convicted of murder of 3-year-old son
Posted: Aug 24, 2015 10:29 AM EST Updated: Aug 24, 2015 3:39 PM EST
By WMCActionNews5.com
MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - A father was convicted of first-degree murder after his son died of blunt-force injuries.
According to Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich, a judge sentenced 28-year-old Jamie Jones to life in prison. In January 2013, Jones said he found 3-year-old Landon Stokes unresponsive. He told investigators that he had sent the child out to the car to wait for him. When Jones came outside, he said he found the boy at the bottom of the stairs. Jones then took the boy to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
During his trial, Jones admitted spanking the child the day he took him to the hospital. Medical personnel said the serious head and body injuries that Stokes sustained didn't look consistent with a fall down the stairs.
The Shelby County Medical Examiner said the boy had 116 external injures and several internal injuries.
Jones was found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder, one in perpetration of aggravated child abuse and one in perpetration of aggravated child neglect.
A judge will sentence Jones on the child abuse and neglect charges in September.
Dad pleads guilty to death of 18-month-old daughter (Beaumont, Texas)
Dad is identified as SHAQUILLE LERON RAWLINS.
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Beaumont-father-admits-child-injury-6461960.php
Beaumont father admits child injury
By Manuella Libardi Published 10:32 am, Monday, August 24, 2015
A Beaumont man accused in the death of his toddler daughter could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison at a hearing next month.
Shaquille Leron Rawlins, 22, pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of injury to a child in the 2013 death of his 18-month-old daughter Ja'Myra. Rawlins, who was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury for murder, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge as part of a plea agreement with the state.
While Ja'Myra's autopsy showed she died from trauma to her head, prosecutors said they could not seek a murder conviction because the state could not prove Rawlins intended to kill the girl.
"As horrible as it is ... you have to work within the constraints of law," said Assistant District Attorney Ashley Molfino on Friday.
Rawlins, represented by Beaumont attorney Sean Villery-Samuel, faces between two and 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 at his Sept. 21 sentencing hearing.
According to a probable cause affidavit in the case, Rawlins was watching Ja'Myra on Sept. 12, 2013, when he said he accidentally dropped the toddler.
He told Beaumont police detectives that he threw Ja'Myra up in the air and failed to catch her. Rawlins said the toddler hit her head against the concrete floor and then stopped moving, the affidavit shows.
Ja'Myra's mother, who had been out running errands, called 911 when she returned home and found the girl unresponsive.
She was taken to a local hospital, but was later transferred via helicopter to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where she was pronounced dead two days later.
According to her autopsy, Ja'Myra died from a skull fracture that caused bleeding and bruising to both sides of her brain.
The pathologist with the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office who performed the girl's autopsy said he did not think the events Rawlins described could have caused the injuries, according to the affidavit.
Rawlins first told detectives, who observed the girl had injuries to her chest and back, that he did not know what happened to Ja'Myra.
He said he left her alone only briefly and then found her unconscious.
It was later that he told detectives he accidentally dropped the girl, the affidavit said.
http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Beaumont-father-admits-child-injury-6461960.php
Beaumont father admits child injury
By Manuella Libardi Published 10:32 am, Monday, August 24, 2015
A Beaumont man accused in the death of his toddler daughter could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison at a hearing next month.
Shaquille Leron Rawlins, 22, pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of injury to a child in the 2013 death of his 18-month-old daughter Ja'Myra. Rawlins, who was indicted by a Jefferson County grand jury for murder, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge as part of a plea agreement with the state.
While Ja'Myra's autopsy showed she died from trauma to her head, prosecutors said they could not seek a murder conviction because the state could not prove Rawlins intended to kill the girl.
"As horrible as it is ... you have to work within the constraints of law," said Assistant District Attorney Ashley Molfino on Friday.
Rawlins, represented by Beaumont attorney Sean Villery-Samuel, faces between two and 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 at his Sept. 21 sentencing hearing.
According to a probable cause affidavit in the case, Rawlins was watching Ja'Myra on Sept. 12, 2013, when he said he accidentally dropped the toddler.
He told Beaumont police detectives that he threw Ja'Myra up in the air and failed to catch her. Rawlins said the toddler hit her head against the concrete floor and then stopped moving, the affidavit shows.
Ja'Myra's mother, who had been out running errands, called 911 when she returned home and found the girl unresponsive.
She was taken to a local hospital, but was later transferred via helicopter to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, where she was pronounced dead two days later.
According to her autopsy, Ja'Myra died from a skull fracture that caused bleeding and bruising to both sides of her brain.
The pathologist with the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office who performed the girl's autopsy said he did not think the events Rawlins described could have caused the injuries, according to the affidavit.
Rawlins first told detectives, who observed the girl had injuries to her chest and back, that he did not know what happened to Ja'Myra.
He said he left her alone only briefly and then found her unconscious.
It was later that he told detectives he accidentally dropped the girl, the affidavit said.
Dad in "child custody conflict" kept 10-year-old son locked in home without food for five days (Jakarta, Indonesia)
So if UNNAMED DAD had a "clinically proven" mental disorder, then who allowed him to wage this "child custody conflict" against the mother? Once again, we see that too often fathers fighting the mother for custody have no interest in the welfare of the children.
Unfortunately, the worldwide influence of the fathers rights movement has emboldened control freak abuser dads everywhere--and authorities let them get by with this sh**.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/08/24/greater-jakarta-father-reported-confining-son.html
Greater Jakarta: Father reported for confining son
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Jakarta | Mon, August 24 2015, 9:26 AM
The Indonesian Commission on Child Protection (KPAI) and the North Jakarta Police took a 10-year-old boy from his father on Friday after his mother, identified as AF, reported the father for confinement.
Based on her report, the father was not only keeping the boy inside the house, but also did not allow him to eat and go to school for five days, KPAI secretary-general Erlinda said as quoted by wartakotalive.com on Saturday.
Erlinda added that the parents were involved in a child custody conflict.
“We need to conduct further psychology and health examinations to know whether the father has committed violence,” she said, adding that the father had once been clinically proven to suffer from a mental disorder.
The boy is currently staying at Safe House, the KPAI’s shelter for children who are in need of protection.
Meanwhile, the North Jakarta Police chief, Sr. Comr. Susetio Cahyadi Susetio, said that the police would investigate further to uncover the father’s motive.
Unfortunately, the worldwide influence of the fathers rights movement has emboldened control freak abuser dads everywhere--and authorities let them get by with this sh**.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/08/24/greater-jakarta-father-reported-confining-son.html
Greater Jakarta: Father reported for confining son
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Jakarta | Mon, August 24 2015, 9:26 AM
The Indonesian Commission on Child Protection (KPAI) and the North Jakarta Police took a 10-year-old boy from his father on Friday after his mother, identified as AF, reported the father for confinement.
Based on her report, the father was not only keeping the boy inside the house, but also did not allow him to eat and go to school for five days, KPAI secretary-general Erlinda said as quoted by wartakotalive.com on Saturday.
Erlinda added that the parents were involved in a child custody conflict.
“We need to conduct further psychology and health examinations to know whether the father has committed violence,” she said, adding that the father had once been clinically proven to suffer from a mental disorder.
The boy is currently staying at Safe House, the KPAI’s shelter for children who are in need of protection.
Meanwhile, the North Jakarta Police chief, Sr. Comr. Susetio Cahyadi Susetio, said that the police would investigate further to uncover the father’s motive.
Dad found guilty of assaulting 3-month-old baby; boy, now 3-years old, has permanent disabilities (Danvers, Massachusetts)
Dad is identified as DANIEL GREEN.
http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/father-guilty-in-shaken-baby-case/article_da0ee491-b354-5ea4-bb3f-70ad18c52d8a.html
Father guilty in shaken baby case
Danvers: Former resident guilty of assault, battery on a child with substantial injury
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2015 9:55 pm
BY JULIE MANGANIS STAFF WRITER
A former Danvers resident is facing up to 15 years in state prison, after a judge on Monday found him guilty of causing life-altering injuries to his then-3-month-old son.
The verdict against Daniel Green, 30, was delivered by Lawrence Superior Court Judge Mary Ames following four days of deliberation. He will be sentenced next month.
“This has been a very difficult matter, to say the least,” said Ames as she prepared to read her verdict.
Ames found Green guilty of assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury, but not guilty of permitting an assault and battery on the child.
Green and his lawyer, Joseph Collins, had waived a jury in the case, which was based in large part on complex medical evidence.
The incident, on Nov. 27, 2012, left the baby with a 60 percent loss of vision and developmental delays.
Doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital found that the child, who they believe had either been thrown down or shaken violently, suffered bleeding on the brain and on both retinas, as well as bruising under his armpits and on his spleen, and a laceration to his thigh.
The child, now 3, has spent much of his life since then with a foster mother who is a retired head injury nurse.
She described how the boy is beginning to recognize his limitations compared to other children and how he struggles with that knowledge, as well as other symptoms of a traumatic brain injury.
His vision is so poor, the foster mother testified, that he was unable to see the animals, only nearby trees, during a trip to the zoo. He will begin receiving services this fall from the Perkins School for the Blind.
http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/father-guilty-in-shaken-baby-case/article_da0ee491-b354-5ea4-bb3f-70ad18c52d8a.html
Father guilty in shaken baby case
Danvers: Former resident guilty of assault, battery on a child with substantial injury
Posted: Monday, August 24, 2015 9:55 pm
BY JULIE MANGANIS STAFF WRITER
A former Danvers resident is facing up to 15 years in state prison, after a judge on Monday found him guilty of causing life-altering injuries to his then-3-month-old son.
The verdict against Daniel Green, 30, was delivered by Lawrence Superior Court Judge Mary Ames following four days of deliberation. He will be sentenced next month.
“This has been a very difficult matter, to say the least,” said Ames as she prepared to read her verdict.
Ames found Green guilty of assault and battery on a child causing substantial bodily injury, but not guilty of permitting an assault and battery on the child.
Green and his lawyer, Joseph Collins, had waived a jury in the case, which was based in large part on complex medical evidence.
The incident, on Nov. 27, 2012, left the baby with a 60 percent loss of vision and developmental delays.
Doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital found that the child, who they believe had either been thrown down or shaken violently, suffered bleeding on the brain and on both retinas, as well as bruising under his armpits and on his spleen, and a laceration to his thigh.
The child, now 3, has spent much of his life since then with a foster mother who is a retired head injury nurse.
She described how the boy is beginning to recognize his limitations compared to other children and how he struggles with that knowledge, as well as other symptoms of a traumatic brain injury.
His vision is so poor, the foster mother testified, that he was unable to see the animals, only nearby trees, during a trip to the zoo. He will begin receiving services this fall from the Perkins School for the Blind.
Custodial grandfather with criminal record, history of child abuse still being "investigated" in death of 13-month-old boy; dad "furious," but why didn't mom have custody? (Niagara, Ontario, Canada)
We've posted on this case before.
But there is STILL no explanation as to why the UNNAMED GRANDFATHER, a man with a criminal record including a CONVICTION for abusing the baby's father when he was a baby, got custody.
And the mother continues to be basically erased and silenced. Dad is allowed to be "furious" in print, but why the mother was shut out this baby's life is totally unexplained.
Yet another case that screams of fathers rights corruption and deal making.
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/08/24/father-furious-with-facs-over-sons-death
Father furious with FACS over son’s death
By Bill Sawchuk, St. Catharines Standard
Monday, August 24, 2015 8:26:57 EDT PM
As the police investigation continues into last month’s death of a 13-month-old boy in Thorold, the boy’s father remains furious with FACS Niagara.
He said family and children’s services placed the child in the custody of his grandfather and his spouse.
The grandfather had a previous conviction for abusing a baby.
An affidavit filed by family and children services and obtained by The Standard shows the society was aware of the grandfather’s conviction for assaulting the baby’s father as an infant in 1995.
“As far as I am concerned, I would rather have my eyes poked out with a hot poker than ever see a FACS worker again,” the baby’s 20-year-old father said. “I begged them not to put (the baby) there.”
Niagara EMS and police said they responded to a home in Thorold at 10:30 a.m. July 25 after a 911 call reported a child in medical distress.
The child was transported to St. Catharines hospital and airlifted to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton that same day.
The grandfather was distraught and refused to enter the hospital, the affidavit said. At one point, he began walking back to Thorold from Hamilton before a family member picked him up, the affidavit said.
The baby was taken off life-support at 5:51 p.m. on July 26. The mother and father were with their son when he died.
“The worst part was when they decided to take him off life support, and I felt his last heartbeat with my own hand,” his father said.
The affidavit said the grandfather, who is in his late 30s, told police the child was knocked over by the family’s Labrador dog. The grandfather heard the child crying on the floor.
The grandfather told police the boy seemed fine but then went “limp and was making gagging noises,” the affidavit said.
The boy’s father isn’t buying the explanation.
“A dog couldn’t cause the kind of injuries (the boy) had,” he said.
The affidavit said the baby had sustained “extensive bleeding to the brain, including multiple layers of bleeding.”
A woman who answered the door at the home in Thorold after the boy’s death said she had no comment.
Further efforts to contact the grandfather and his spouse were unsuccessful.
Efforts to contact the mother by cellphone were unsuccessful.
The Standard isn’t using any names because of a publication ban on identifying children, their parents or family members that are the subject of a child protection proceeding in family court.
Another grandchild was in the care of the grandfather and his spouse. The 19-month-old girl was also placed there by family and children’s services.
In the affidavit, family and children’s services said the grandfather “was open and honest about his criminal history and was willing to complete the necessary documents for the society to complete the assessment.”
On July 27 after the death of the boy, doctors at McMaster said a skeletal exam revealed the girl might have “historical unexplained injuries.”
Further tests were ordered. A FACS worker told the grandfather and his spouse the same day the agency was apprehending the girl because of the suspicions injuries, the affidavit said.
Neither the grandfather nor his spouse asked where, or what, the injuries were, the affidavit said. Family and children’s services placed the girl with yet another family member.
Chris Steven, executive director of FACS Niagara, said after additional testing, the doctors determined the girl didn’t have any injuries.
“Some things were seen on the initial examinations,” Steven said. “But what they saw was subsequently determined to be normal variations in a child’s bone development and not injuries.”
Const. Dave Mander of the Niagara Regional Police said its investigation into the death of the boy is “open” and ongoing, but wouldn’t provide any details.
“The police haven’t told us too much,” the boy’s father said. “They have told us it is one of their top cases. I know the police are meeting with the coroner’s office and the staff from McMaster sometime in the next two weeks. That’s about all I know about the investigation.”
Steven said his agency is working closely with the police to determine what happened.
“For men and women that dedicate themselves to the care and protection of children, this is the worst it can be,” Steven said. “It’s heartbreaking. It was a tragic loss of a child, and it has had an impact on his family, those who cared for him and the community.
“If I were a member of the public, I would want to know what happened. How is this possible? We understand that, but while events are unfolding, we can’t say much about the investigation.”
Steven said any investigation and apprehension of a child requires the society to gather information, review it and weigh the current circumstances of the family being assessed.
“When we apprehend children, we have to be in court in a matter of days and place creditable information before the court to support any recommendations. It isn’t just our decision.
“It is not a question of taking a child from one vulnerable circumstance and putting them into another one and closing the case. There is a very comprehensive plan of support and supervision.
“If there is a (criminal) record, what impact does that record have under the current circumstances. Is there a continuing risk? Have there been any changes? We have to take into consideration if there are any other children in the home. How are they doing? Are they thriving? All that information is assessed and brought forward as part of a recommendation.
“It can appear (to the public) like this is a very cut-and-dried, simplistic error, but there is no typical case. It is very unpredictable and complicated at times.” Regional Coroner Dr. Jack Stanborough said he couldn’t comment on the specifics of the case or the cause of death.
“The matter is really in the hands of the police,” he said. “We can’t give a cause or manner of death until the police investigation is complete and criminal charges are considered or dealt with.” Stanborough said, in general, if the case is a homicide or criminally suspicious, the police have the lead and the coroner’s office works with the detectives.
“After the post-mortem is done, we often have to wait for the results of further tests,” Stanborough said. “The pathologist will often look at the tissue under the microscope. We will do other toxicology. Sometimes you have a fairly good idea of what happened and more testing is just a matter of being complete. “All of it takes time. Then we take our findings and the results of the police investigation — the evidence from the scene, the examination of the body, the past medical history, the toxicology — and wrap it up into a picture that makes sense.”
But there is STILL no explanation as to why the UNNAMED GRANDFATHER, a man with a criminal record including a CONVICTION for abusing the baby's father when he was a baby, got custody.
And the mother continues to be basically erased and silenced. Dad is allowed to be "furious" in print, but why the mother was shut out this baby's life is totally unexplained.
Yet another case that screams of fathers rights corruption and deal making.
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/08/24/father-furious-with-facs-over-sons-death
Father furious with FACS over son’s death
By Bill Sawchuk, St. Catharines Standard
Monday, August 24, 2015 8:26:57 EDT PM
As the police investigation continues into last month’s death of a 13-month-old boy in Thorold, the boy’s father remains furious with FACS Niagara.
He said family and children’s services placed the child in the custody of his grandfather and his spouse.
The grandfather had a previous conviction for abusing a baby.
An affidavit filed by family and children services and obtained by The Standard shows the society was aware of the grandfather’s conviction for assaulting the baby’s father as an infant in 1995.
“As far as I am concerned, I would rather have my eyes poked out with a hot poker than ever see a FACS worker again,” the baby’s 20-year-old father said. “I begged them not to put (the baby) there.”
Niagara EMS and police said they responded to a home in Thorold at 10:30 a.m. July 25 after a 911 call reported a child in medical distress.
The child was transported to St. Catharines hospital and airlifted to McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton that same day.
The grandfather was distraught and refused to enter the hospital, the affidavit said. At one point, he began walking back to Thorold from Hamilton before a family member picked him up, the affidavit said.
The baby was taken off life-support at 5:51 p.m. on July 26. The mother and father were with their son when he died.
“The worst part was when they decided to take him off life support, and I felt his last heartbeat with my own hand,” his father said.
The affidavit said the grandfather, who is in his late 30s, told police the child was knocked over by the family’s Labrador dog. The grandfather heard the child crying on the floor.
The grandfather told police the boy seemed fine but then went “limp and was making gagging noises,” the affidavit said.
The boy’s father isn’t buying the explanation.
“A dog couldn’t cause the kind of injuries (the boy) had,” he said.
The affidavit said the baby had sustained “extensive bleeding to the brain, including multiple layers of bleeding.”
A woman who answered the door at the home in Thorold after the boy’s death said she had no comment.
Further efforts to contact the grandfather and his spouse were unsuccessful.
Efforts to contact the mother by cellphone were unsuccessful.
The Standard isn’t using any names because of a publication ban on identifying children, their parents or family members that are the subject of a child protection proceeding in family court.
Another grandchild was in the care of the grandfather and his spouse. The 19-month-old girl was also placed there by family and children’s services.
In the affidavit, family and children’s services said the grandfather “was open and honest about his criminal history and was willing to complete the necessary documents for the society to complete the assessment.”
On July 27 after the death of the boy, doctors at McMaster said a skeletal exam revealed the girl might have “historical unexplained injuries.”
Further tests were ordered. A FACS worker told the grandfather and his spouse the same day the agency was apprehending the girl because of the suspicions injuries, the affidavit said.
Neither the grandfather nor his spouse asked where, or what, the injuries were, the affidavit said. Family and children’s services placed the girl with yet another family member.
Chris Steven, executive director of FACS Niagara, said after additional testing, the doctors determined the girl didn’t have any injuries.
“Some things were seen on the initial examinations,” Steven said. “But what they saw was subsequently determined to be normal variations in a child’s bone development and not injuries.”
Const. Dave Mander of the Niagara Regional Police said its investigation into the death of the boy is “open” and ongoing, but wouldn’t provide any details.
“The police haven’t told us too much,” the boy’s father said. “They have told us it is one of their top cases. I know the police are meeting with the coroner’s office and the staff from McMaster sometime in the next two weeks. That’s about all I know about the investigation.”
Steven said his agency is working closely with the police to determine what happened.
“For men and women that dedicate themselves to the care and protection of children, this is the worst it can be,” Steven said. “It’s heartbreaking. It was a tragic loss of a child, and it has had an impact on his family, those who cared for him and the community.
“If I were a member of the public, I would want to know what happened. How is this possible? We understand that, but while events are unfolding, we can’t say much about the investigation.”
Steven said any investigation and apprehension of a child requires the society to gather information, review it and weigh the current circumstances of the family being assessed.
“When we apprehend children, we have to be in court in a matter of days and place creditable information before the court to support any recommendations. It isn’t just our decision.
“It is not a question of taking a child from one vulnerable circumstance and putting them into another one and closing the case. There is a very comprehensive plan of support and supervision.
“If there is a (criminal) record, what impact does that record have under the current circumstances. Is there a continuing risk? Have there been any changes? We have to take into consideration if there are any other children in the home. How are they doing? Are they thriving? All that information is assessed and brought forward as part of a recommendation.
“It can appear (to the public) like this is a very cut-and-dried, simplistic error, but there is no typical case. It is very unpredictable and complicated at times.” Regional Coroner Dr. Jack Stanborough said he couldn’t comment on the specifics of the case or the cause of death.
“The matter is really in the hands of the police,” he said. “We can’t give a cause or manner of death until the police investigation is complete and criminal charges are considered or dealt with.” Stanborough said, in general, if the case is a homicide or criminally suspicious, the police have the lead and the coroner’s office works with the detectives.
“After the post-mortem is done, we often have to wait for the results of further tests,” Stanborough said. “The pathologist will often look at the tissue under the microscope. We will do other toxicology. Sometimes you have a fairly good idea of what happened and more testing is just a matter of being complete. “All of it takes time. Then we take our findings and the results of the police investigation — the evidence from the scene, the examination of the body, the past medical history, the toxicology — and wrap it up into a picture that makes sense.”
Dad charged with abusing 28-day-old baby; baby has skull fracture, multiple brain bleeds, fractures (Edmond, Oklahoma)
Dad is identified as JOHNATHAN MCKEE.
http://www.news9.com/story/29869650/edmond-father-accused-of-abusing-28-day-old-child
Edmond Father Accused Of Abusing 28-Day-Old Child
Posted: Aug 24, 2015 7:38 PM EST Updated: Aug 24, 2015 7:38 PM EST
By Dana Hertneky, News 9
EDMOND, Oklahoma - A 28-day-old baby is rushed to the hospital with severe injuries including a skull fracture and brain bleed.
This weekend, Edmond police arrested his father who is accused of abusing him.
Johnathan McKee was booked into the Oklahoma County jail Saturday night after investigators concluded he was responsible for the severe abuse of his 4-week-old baby.
Just before 6 a.m. August 1, emergency crews were called to the Edmond home on Tambos Trail near 2nd Street and Interstate 35.
“My son is a newborn and he is gurgling blood and spitting up blood and he’s not breathing right,” McKee told a dispatcher.
According to court papers the infant was rushed to OU Medical Center where doctors determined he had "multiple brain bleeds, skull fracture, multiple rib fractures and retinal hemorrhages, all indicative of child abuse."
Neither the baby's parents nor McKee's parents, who the couple was living with, would talk to investigators when they arrived at the hospital.
“We went immediately there and tried to meet with the mother and father of the infant and the grandparents of the infant and were told once we got to the hospital they had retained an attorney and were not going to cooperate with us,” Edmond police spokeswoman Jennifer Monroe said. “He has extensive injuries that will take a lifetime to recover from."
McKee has since bonded out of jail.
He was being held on a $10,000 bond.
http://www.news9.com/story/29869650/edmond-father-accused-of-abusing-28-day-old-child
Edmond Father Accused Of Abusing 28-Day-Old Child
Posted: Aug 24, 2015 7:38 PM EST Updated: Aug 24, 2015 7:38 PM EST
By Dana Hertneky, News 9
EDMOND, Oklahoma - A 28-day-old baby is rushed to the hospital with severe injuries including a skull fracture and brain bleed.
This weekend, Edmond police arrested his father who is accused of abusing him.
Johnathan McKee was booked into the Oklahoma County jail Saturday night after investigators concluded he was responsible for the severe abuse of his 4-week-old baby.
Just before 6 a.m. August 1, emergency crews were called to the Edmond home on Tambos Trail near 2nd Street and Interstate 35.
“My son is a newborn and he is gurgling blood and spitting up blood and he’s not breathing right,” McKee told a dispatcher.
According to court papers the infant was rushed to OU Medical Center where doctors determined he had "multiple brain bleeds, skull fracture, multiple rib fractures and retinal hemorrhages, all indicative of child abuse."
Neither the baby's parents nor McKee's parents, who the couple was living with, would talk to investigators when they arrived at the hospital.
“We went immediately there and tried to meet with the mother and father of the infant and the grandparents of the infant and were told once we got to the hospital they had retained an attorney and were not going to cooperate with us,” Edmond police spokeswoman Jennifer Monroe said. “He has extensive injuries that will take a lifetime to recover from."
McKee has since bonded out of jail.
He was being held on a $10,000 bond.
Dad charged with involuntary manslaughter in shooting death of 3-month-old son; mother did NOT live in home (Franklin County, Virginia)
Yet another one of those cases where MUCH is left unsaid.
1) Where is this little boy's mother? Did killer daddy JEREMIAH NEIDERHISER have full custody? Joint custody?
2) Did the father have a history of violence before the parents' separation, but somehow got his "rights" anyway? Who gave these rights to this father?
3) And why the hell is the SHOOTING death of a 3-YEAR-OLD merely "manslaughter"? Why isn't this being treated as a homicide?
Suspect lots of fathers rights shenanigans behind this one. A new addition for the Killer Dads and Custody list for Virginia.
http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/smith-mountain-lake/franklin-co-father-charged-in-connection-to-sunday-shooting-death-of-3yearold-son/34903506
Franklin Co. father charged in connection to Sunday shooting death of 3-year-old son
Jeremiah Neiderhiser is charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse/neglect
Noell Saunders Web Staff, WDBJ7
POSTED: 10:42 AM EDT Aug 25, 2015 UPDATED: 07:43 PM EDT Aug 25, 2015
FRANKLIN CO., Va. - A Franklin County father is charged with involuntary manslaughter following the shooting death of his 3-year-old son.
Jeremiah Neiderhiser, 32, of Hardy, is also charged with felony child abuse/neglect.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office says the death of the boy is “suspicious.”
According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the 3-year-old boy was reported unconscious and unresponsive at 10:52 a.m. Sunday on Heatherton Drive. The boy had no signs of blood, according to deputies.
Rescue crews tried to resuscitate the boy, but the child died at the home.
An autopsy done Monday found that the boy died from a small caliber gunshot wound.
"Certainly we've seen a share number of very traumatic events this year and unfortunately children are involved in those," Capt. Paul Caldwell of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said.
Investigators say they may have questions for the child's mother who was not living at the home at the time of the boy's death.
And there is a possibility the father's charges could change once the investigation is complete.
Neiderhiser is being held in the Western Virginia Regional Jail on a $250,000 bond.
1) Where is this little boy's mother? Did killer daddy JEREMIAH NEIDERHISER have full custody? Joint custody?
2) Did the father have a history of violence before the parents' separation, but somehow got his "rights" anyway? Who gave these rights to this father?
3) And why the hell is the SHOOTING death of a 3-YEAR-OLD merely "manslaughter"? Why isn't this being treated as a homicide?
Suspect lots of fathers rights shenanigans behind this one. A new addition for the Killer Dads and Custody list for Virginia.
http://www.wdbj7.com/news/local/smith-mountain-lake/franklin-co-father-charged-in-connection-to-sunday-shooting-death-of-3yearold-son/34903506
Franklin Co. father charged in connection to Sunday shooting death of 3-year-old son
Jeremiah Neiderhiser is charged with involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse/neglect
Noell Saunders Web Staff, WDBJ7
POSTED: 10:42 AM EDT Aug 25, 2015 UPDATED: 07:43 PM EDT Aug 25, 2015
FRANKLIN CO., Va. - A Franklin County father is charged with involuntary manslaughter following the shooting death of his 3-year-old son.
Jeremiah Neiderhiser, 32, of Hardy, is also charged with felony child abuse/neglect.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office says the death of the boy is “suspicious.”
According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the 3-year-old boy was reported unconscious and unresponsive at 10:52 a.m. Sunday on Heatherton Drive. The boy had no signs of blood, according to deputies.
Rescue crews tried to resuscitate the boy, but the child died at the home.
An autopsy done Monday found that the boy died from a small caliber gunshot wound.
"Certainly we've seen a share number of very traumatic events this year and unfortunately children are involved in those," Capt. Paul Caldwell of the Franklin County Sheriff's Office said.
Investigators say they may have questions for the child's mother who was not living at the home at the time of the boy's death.
And there is a possibility the father's charges could change once the investigation is complete.
Neiderhiser is being held in the Western Virginia Regional Jail on a $250,000 bond.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Dad accused of violently shaking 3-month-old son, throwing him off bed (Atascosa County, Texas)
Dad is identified as JOSE ANTHONY JUAREZ JR.
http://www.foxsanantonio.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/father-accused-violently-shaking-3monthold-son-knocking-him-off-bed-15250.shtml#.VdSWD_-FMth
Father accused of violently shaking 3-month-old son, knocking him off bed
Updated: Wednesday, August 19 2015, 06:44 AM CDT 9
By MELISSA VEGA Fox San Antonio
ATASCOSA COUNTY -- A father is sitting in jail, and his 3-month-old son is in the hospital. Officials say the injuries are so bad, the baby may not survive.
Jose Anthony Juarez Jr. was arrested and booked into the Atascosa County Jail Monday night. According to Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward, the 26-year-old has been charged with a first degree felony of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury.
Soward tells Fox San Antonio deputies responded to a home off Dogosh Road Sunday evening, and found a baby boy who wasn't breathing.
The three month old baby was rushed to Southwest Regional Medical Center in Jourdanton, and later transported to a San Antonio Hospital.
"According to medical personnel, it does not look good for the little boy", said Soward. Soward went on to say when investigators interviewed Juarez a second time, he allegedly admitted to shaking his son.
"In his confession to Sheriff's investigators he admitted to violently shaking the baby two times for about 8 to 10 seconds each, and then tossed the child on the bed, spun the child with his arm, and knocked the baby off the bed onto the floor", added Soward.
Soward says it took Juarez about an hour before he called 9-1-1, and his first phone call was to the child's mother.
The child's mother told Juarez to call authorities. If the baby does not survive, Soward says Juarez' charge could possibly be upgraded to Capital Murder.
http://www.foxsanantonio.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/father-accused-violently-shaking-3monthold-son-knocking-him-off-bed-15250.shtml#.VdSWD_-FMth
Father accused of violently shaking 3-month-old son, knocking him off bed
Updated: Wednesday, August 19 2015, 06:44 AM CDT 9
By MELISSA VEGA Fox San Antonio
ATASCOSA COUNTY -- A father is sitting in jail, and his 3-month-old son is in the hospital. Officials say the injuries are so bad, the baby may not survive.
Jose Anthony Juarez Jr. was arrested and booked into the Atascosa County Jail Monday night. According to Atascosa County Sheriff David Soward, the 26-year-old has been charged with a first degree felony of injury to a child causing serious bodily injury.
Soward tells Fox San Antonio deputies responded to a home off Dogosh Road Sunday evening, and found a baby boy who wasn't breathing.
The three month old baby was rushed to Southwest Regional Medical Center in Jourdanton, and later transported to a San Antonio Hospital.
"According to medical personnel, it does not look good for the little boy", said Soward. Soward went on to say when investigators interviewed Juarez a second time, he allegedly admitted to shaking his son.
"In his confession to Sheriff's investigators he admitted to violently shaking the baby two times for about 8 to 10 seconds each, and then tossed the child on the bed, spun the child with his arm, and knocked the baby off the bed onto the floor", added Soward.
Soward says it took Juarez about an hour before he called 9-1-1, and his first phone call was to the child's mother.
The child's mother told Juarez to call authorities. If the baby does not survive, Soward says Juarez' charge could possibly be upgraded to Capital Murder.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Dad abuses 4-month-old baby during visitation; pleads guilty to felony child neglect (Barboursville, West Virginia)
Notice that all this took place at the "father's residence," meaning that this was a custody/visitation situation.
Babies do not need contact with non-committed fathers. They don't benefit from this kind of contact in any way, shape, or form. They need consistent loving care with their mothers. Only a dogmatic fathers rights position would say otherwise. And too often we see the results.
Dad is identified as SHAWN GRAVES.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x45925280/Toddler-improves-ahead-of-fathers-final-punishment
Toddler improves ahead of father's final punishment
Aug. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 AM
By CURTIS JOHNSON
BARBOURSVILLE - DaMarcus Graves could soon be a walking miracle, a little more than a year after his limp body became the focal point of a case involving shaken-baby syndrome.
Medical experts had advised the family that the infant, then 4 1/2 months, may remain deaf and blind and never develop an ability to swallow or make voluntary movement.
"He has surpassed all of that," said Graves' mother, Shay Harper. "When he was first in the hospital we were excited that he moved his toe, and he's doing so much more now."
Mother and son take another step this week. They will appear before Cabell Circuit Judge Paul T. Farrell, where Harper will urge the judge to stick with prison time for the child's father, Shawn Anthony Graves.
The local rap artist, also known as Sg Tha Yunggin, entered a Kennedy plea in June to felony child neglect. Farrell immediately ordered the maximum, 1- to 5-year prison sentence, but will hear a defense argument for leniency Wednesday.
The Kennedy plea allowed for the conviction without Shawn Graves admitting or explaining his role in the crime.
Initial court filings state Shawn Graves, 22, of Huntington, told police early on that he shook his son back and forth without supporting his head. The incident occurred June 21, 2014, at the father's residence in the 1800 block of 12th Avenue, where Harper dropped off the child for supervision.
Emergency crews described the infant's body as limp and lifeless. Medical tests revealed a brain bleed, according to the initial filings.
DaMarcus Graves, now 18 months, lives with limited vision, dramatically improved hearing and swallows about an ounce or two of baby food each day, Harper said. He also can lift his head for longer periods of time, which is considered an accomplishment given his injuries and the placement of a shunt.
Within the past two months, DaMarcus Graves developed the ability to stand with the aid of equipment. Harper said that progress convinces herself and nurses he could be ready for a walker very soon.
"I'm just astounded," she said. "I bought him a Cookie Monster doll. I watched him focus on that doll and he loves the sound of (the doll's) voice. He has started reaching for the doll, and he wasn't reaching before."
Shawn Graves defended himself within hours of the incident in a series of tweets, including one which said, "Facing 2 to 10 years for something I didn't do. Smh."
Defense attorney Dennis Kelley acknowledged the plea agreement, but said Friday their side takes exception with the prosecution's idea of intent and causation. The defense believes something beyond his client's actions caused the child's injuries, including the potential of a pre-existing condition.
"I was always concerned about the timeline," he said. "My client had the child for a short period of time. Obviously the risk set forth with going to trial versus the offer was what my client wanted to do."
Kelley plans to argue for alternative sentencing Wednesday. Possibilities include probation, although he estimates credit for more than a year already behind bars could make his client eligible for parole within six months.
Harper, somewhat frustrated that Shawn Graves was allowed to plead no contest to a less serious offense, said she will urge Farrell to show no leniency.
"Not only for my child and myself," she said in opposing leniency. "That shows the community, the public, these people who harm children can just go back out in the street. That is a danger.
"... I am his voice, that is no justice for him. Nobody knows how he feels, and that is a very short sentence because Shawn Graves feels nothing compared to what my son feels," Harper added.
An April 2015 superseding indictment charged Shawn Graves with felony child abuse. The no contest plea to child neglect, a lesser included offense, resolved the case and reduced the maximum punishment from a 2- to 10-year prison sentence to a 1- to 5-year stint.
Harper recalled accepting the plea agreement with some resistance, after a prosecutor advised she needed to in light of Shawn Graves' willingness to take the lesser conviction.
Babies do not need contact with non-committed fathers. They don't benefit from this kind of contact in any way, shape, or form. They need consistent loving care with their mothers. Only a dogmatic fathers rights position would say otherwise. And too often we see the results.
Dad is identified as SHAWN GRAVES.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x45925280/Toddler-improves-ahead-of-fathers-final-punishment
Toddler improves ahead of father's final punishment
Aug. 18, 2015 @ 12:01 AM
By CURTIS JOHNSON
BARBOURSVILLE - DaMarcus Graves could soon be a walking miracle, a little more than a year after his limp body became the focal point of a case involving shaken-baby syndrome.
Medical experts had advised the family that the infant, then 4 1/2 months, may remain deaf and blind and never develop an ability to swallow or make voluntary movement.
"He has surpassed all of that," said Graves' mother, Shay Harper. "When he was first in the hospital we were excited that he moved his toe, and he's doing so much more now."
Mother and son take another step this week. They will appear before Cabell Circuit Judge Paul T. Farrell, where Harper will urge the judge to stick with prison time for the child's father, Shawn Anthony Graves.
The local rap artist, also known as Sg Tha Yunggin, entered a Kennedy plea in June to felony child neglect. Farrell immediately ordered the maximum, 1- to 5-year prison sentence, but will hear a defense argument for leniency Wednesday.
The Kennedy plea allowed for the conviction without Shawn Graves admitting or explaining his role in the crime.
Initial court filings state Shawn Graves, 22, of Huntington, told police early on that he shook his son back and forth without supporting his head. The incident occurred June 21, 2014, at the father's residence in the 1800 block of 12th Avenue, where Harper dropped off the child for supervision.
Emergency crews described the infant's body as limp and lifeless. Medical tests revealed a brain bleed, according to the initial filings.
DaMarcus Graves, now 18 months, lives with limited vision, dramatically improved hearing and swallows about an ounce or two of baby food each day, Harper said. He also can lift his head for longer periods of time, which is considered an accomplishment given his injuries and the placement of a shunt.
Within the past two months, DaMarcus Graves developed the ability to stand with the aid of equipment. Harper said that progress convinces herself and nurses he could be ready for a walker very soon.
"I'm just astounded," she said. "I bought him a Cookie Monster doll. I watched him focus on that doll and he loves the sound of (the doll's) voice. He has started reaching for the doll, and he wasn't reaching before."
Shawn Graves defended himself within hours of the incident in a series of tweets, including one which said, "Facing 2 to 10 years for something I didn't do. Smh."
Defense attorney Dennis Kelley acknowledged the plea agreement, but said Friday their side takes exception with the prosecution's idea of intent and causation. The defense believes something beyond his client's actions caused the child's injuries, including the potential of a pre-existing condition.
"I was always concerned about the timeline," he said. "My client had the child for a short period of time. Obviously the risk set forth with going to trial versus the offer was what my client wanted to do."
Kelley plans to argue for alternative sentencing Wednesday. Possibilities include probation, although he estimates credit for more than a year already behind bars could make his client eligible for parole within six months.
Harper, somewhat frustrated that Shawn Graves was allowed to plead no contest to a less serious offense, said she will urge Farrell to show no leniency.
"Not only for my child and myself," she said in opposing leniency. "That shows the community, the public, these people who harm children can just go back out in the street. That is a danger.
"... I am his voice, that is no justice for him. Nobody knows how he feels, and that is a very short sentence because Shawn Graves feels nothing compared to what my son feels," Harper added.
An April 2015 superseding indictment charged Shawn Graves with felony child abuse. The no contest plea to child neglect, a lesser included offense, resolved the case and reduced the maximum punishment from a 2- to 10-year prison sentence to a 1- to 5-year stint.
Harper recalled accepting the plea agreement with some resistance, after a prosecutor advised she needed to in light of Shawn Graves' willingness to take the lesser conviction.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Officials protected rapist dad (Australia)
Same old sh**....
http://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/child-abuse-royal-commission-officials-protected-rapist-dad/story-fnj4aog3-1227487529083
Child Abuse Royal Commission: Officials ‘protected rapist dad’
This story was published: 8 hours ago August 17, 2015 9:18PM
A GIRL raped by her father for 27 years says Victorian officials protected him and held her partially responsible for the abuse, an inquiry has heard.
The girl told social workers she was being raped but the abuse continued and she had four children to her father and suffering two miscarriages, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has heard.
“She is expected to give evidence that she felt the department protected her father and his feelings, and held her partially responsible for the rapes,” counsel assisting the commission Dr Peggy Dwyer said on Monday.
Dr Dwyer said children were sexually abused by staff members, social workers and other child residents of three Victorian state-run youth centres: Turana, Winlaton and Baltara.
The girl raped by her father, known only as BGD, was 15 when she was placed at Winlaton, where staff members gave her regular contraceptive injections.
Dr Dwyer said Winlaton allowed her to stay with her mother for weekend visits, giving her father access to her.
A social worker and Children’s Court Clinic staff member wrote to the man stating: “None of us want to make you feel bad, but we do want (BGD) to feel better about her relationship with you.”
Dr Dwyer said some survivors frequently ran away from the institutions to escape the abuse.
“Some survivors will say that they disclosed the abuse to the police, but they were not believed and, in some instances, they were physically abused by the police,” Dr Dwyer said.
“Some survivors will say that when they absconded from the institution and were picked up by the police, the police never asked why they were running away, but simply placed them back at the institution.”
Norman Latham, who was made a ward of the state at age 15 in 1962, will tell the public hearing he was sexually abused 19 times by two senior officers at Turana.
Mr Latham ran away to escape the abuse and reported it to police, who took him back to the facility and told one of the officers, Eric Horne, what the youth had said, the commission heard.
“Mr Latham is expected to say that later that night, Mr Horne said to him ‘I told you not to say anything’ and raped him in the infirmary at Turana,” Dr Dwyer said.
Dr Dwyer said most survivors would tell the commission they did not disclose the abuse to anyone at the institutions.
“They are expected to give reasons such as feelings of guilt, punishment, fear of being labelled a ‘lagger’ or ‘dobber’, and a belief that they would be disbelieved,” Dr Dwyer said.
Some survivors who did tell authorities were not believed, were punished or the response did not protect them from the abuser, she said.
Dr Dwyer said children were forced to strip when initially placed at an institution or on their return from weekend leave or absconding, and were forced to undergo intrusive medical exams.
She said witnesses would tell of a lack of supervision by staff members, facilitating abuse by other residents.
http://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/child-abuse-royal-commission-officials-protected-rapist-dad/story-fnj4aog3-1227487529083
Child Abuse Royal Commission: Officials ‘protected rapist dad’
This story was published: 8 hours ago August 17, 2015 9:18PM
A GIRL raped by her father for 27 years says Victorian officials protected him and held her partially responsible for the abuse, an inquiry has heard.
The girl told social workers she was being raped but the abuse continued and she had four children to her father and suffering two miscarriages, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has heard.
“She is expected to give evidence that she felt the department protected her father and his feelings, and held her partially responsible for the rapes,” counsel assisting the commission Dr Peggy Dwyer said on Monday.
Dr Dwyer said children were sexually abused by staff members, social workers and other child residents of three Victorian state-run youth centres: Turana, Winlaton and Baltara.
The girl raped by her father, known only as BGD, was 15 when she was placed at Winlaton, where staff members gave her regular contraceptive injections.
Dr Dwyer said Winlaton allowed her to stay with her mother for weekend visits, giving her father access to her.
A social worker and Children’s Court Clinic staff member wrote to the man stating: “None of us want to make you feel bad, but we do want (BGD) to feel better about her relationship with you.”
Dr Dwyer said some survivors frequently ran away from the institutions to escape the abuse.
“Some survivors will say that they disclosed the abuse to the police, but they were not believed and, in some instances, they were physically abused by the police,” Dr Dwyer said.
“Some survivors will say that when they absconded from the institution and were picked up by the police, the police never asked why they were running away, but simply placed them back at the institution.”
Norman Latham, who was made a ward of the state at age 15 in 1962, will tell the public hearing he was sexually abused 19 times by two senior officers at Turana.
Mr Latham ran away to escape the abuse and reported it to police, who took him back to the facility and told one of the officers, Eric Horne, what the youth had said, the commission heard.
“Mr Latham is expected to say that later that night, Mr Horne said to him ‘I told you not to say anything’ and raped him in the infirmary at Turana,” Dr Dwyer said.
Dr Dwyer said most survivors would tell the commission they did not disclose the abuse to anyone at the institutions.
“They are expected to give reasons such as feelings of guilt, punishment, fear of being labelled a ‘lagger’ or ‘dobber’, and a belief that they would be disbelieved,” Dr Dwyer said.
Some survivors who did tell authorities were not believed, were punished or the response did not protect them from the abuser, she said.
Dr Dwyer said children were forced to strip when initially placed at an institution or on their return from weekend leave or absconding, and were forced to undergo intrusive medical exams.
She said witnesses would tell of a lack of supervision by staff members, facilitating abuse by other residents.
Violent dad murders mom during child custody exchange (Houston, Texas)
This is what happens when fathers rights are privileged over the rights of women and children to basic safety and security.
UNNAMED DAD.
2 Children Witness Father Kill Mother, Self: Police
Updated at 9:54 AM CDT on Thursday, Aug 6, 2015
Authorities in suburban Houston said a man shot the mother of his children as the two were transferring custody of their boys and then turned the gun on himself.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that the couple had recently separated and met Wednesday evening at a convenience store in The Woodlands so that one could hand over their two boys to the other.
Authorities said the children witnessed the shooting, as did others at the store at the time. KHOU-TV in Houston reported one boy is 14 and the other 11.
The man died at the scene and the woman was transported to a hospital where she later died. Neither has been identified.
The boys were not physically harmed.
Dad kills two sons in botched murder-suicide (Statesville, North Carolina)
The usual woo-woo what-a-mystery crap coverage.
We have the Clueless Neighbor swearing that dad SHAWN FULLER was a "pretty decent guy." Just can't "imagine" the father doing such a thing.
Seriously? Why does the media still interview the Clueless Neighbor?
At the very end, we find out that the police had been called to house for a "domestic dispute" before. So there is no mystery. This is totally typical. "Good guy" face to the outside world, terror for Mom and the kids inside the home. I'm sure that one police appearance was merely the tip of the iceberg.
http://www.wcnc.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/09/sheriff-father-shot-killed-2-children-before-attempting-suicide/31370509/
Sheriff: Man fatally shot 2 sons, botched suicide attempt
An Iredell County man killed his two sons before attempting suicide early Sunday morning, authorities say.
WCNC Dan Yesenosky, WCNC 6:35 p.m. EDT August 10, 2015
STATESVILLE, N.C. -- A man fighting for his life in the hospital will face two first-degree murder charges if he pulls through after deputies say he killed his two sons, each under the age of 5, before shooting himself in the head.
Shawn Fuller, 31, was found outside his Iredell County home Sunday morning by Sheriff's deputies.
The whole ordeal is still hard for neighbors like Rogelio Castro to comprehend. "I can't imagine my father doing something like that," Castro said. "To a bunch of kids."
Castro has a 3-year-old brother and 5-year-old sister who each played with the Fuller boys: 3-year-old Josiah and 4-year-old Uriah when the Fuller family would come up the road to their house. "No, he (Shawn Fuller) seemed like a pretty decent guy," Castro said. "Every time he came over we'd shake hands."
But Shawn Fuller is about to be charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Deputies say he shot his two sons multiple times early Sunday morning before turning the gun on himself.
Sheriff Darren Campbell says it's been difficult for his first responders to deal with.
"It's traumatic, it's not something you want to see," Campbell said. "A lot of them are parents and a lot of them have young children. And to see two young children just killed in the manner such as this-- somewhere that they didn't have no option but to be."
Fuller is at CMC Main in critical condition. Campbell says if he survives, he'll head straight to jail.
"He will not leave the hospital without being in our custody," Campbell said.
Campbell says the weapon Fuller used was his wife's, which she had hidden in the house. She and Fuller's brother were the two who called 911.
"Obviously they're upset, especially the mother," Campbell said. "She's in a safe location now."
Castro said his mother used to babysit the two Fuller boys. He says his entire family is in shock. "
They're just kids," Castro said. "How can you do something like that?"
Sheriff Campbell says they did respond to a domestic dispute call to the home back in May.
We have the Clueless Neighbor swearing that dad SHAWN FULLER was a "pretty decent guy." Just can't "imagine" the father doing such a thing.
Seriously? Why does the media still interview the Clueless Neighbor?
At the very end, we find out that the police had been called to house for a "domestic dispute" before. So there is no mystery. This is totally typical. "Good guy" face to the outside world, terror for Mom and the kids inside the home. I'm sure that one police appearance was merely the tip of the iceberg.
http://www.wcnc.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/09/sheriff-father-shot-killed-2-children-before-attempting-suicide/31370509/
Sheriff: Man fatally shot 2 sons, botched suicide attempt
An Iredell County man killed his two sons before attempting suicide early Sunday morning, authorities say.
WCNC Dan Yesenosky, WCNC 6:35 p.m. EDT August 10, 2015
STATESVILLE, N.C. -- A man fighting for his life in the hospital will face two first-degree murder charges if he pulls through after deputies say he killed his two sons, each under the age of 5, before shooting himself in the head.
Shawn Fuller, 31, was found outside his Iredell County home Sunday morning by Sheriff's deputies.
The whole ordeal is still hard for neighbors like Rogelio Castro to comprehend. "I can't imagine my father doing something like that," Castro said. "To a bunch of kids."
Castro has a 3-year-old brother and 5-year-old sister who each played with the Fuller boys: 3-year-old Josiah and 4-year-old Uriah when the Fuller family would come up the road to their house. "No, he (Shawn Fuller) seemed like a pretty decent guy," Castro said. "Every time he came over we'd shake hands."
But Shawn Fuller is about to be charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Deputies say he shot his two sons multiple times early Sunday morning before turning the gun on himself.
Sheriff Darren Campbell says it's been difficult for his first responders to deal with.
"It's traumatic, it's not something you want to see," Campbell said. "A lot of them are parents and a lot of them have young children. And to see two young children just killed in the manner such as this-- somewhere that they didn't have no option but to be."
Fuller is at CMC Main in critical condition. Campbell says if he survives, he'll head straight to jail.
"He will not leave the hospital without being in our custody," Campbell said.
Campbell says the weapon Fuller used was his wife's, which she had hidden in the house. She and Fuller's brother were the two who called 911.
"Obviously they're upset, especially the mother," Campbell said. "She's in a safe location now."
Castro said his mother used to babysit the two Fuller boys. He says his entire family is in shock. "
They're just kids," Castro said. "How can you do something like that?"
Sheriff Campbell says they did respond to a domestic dispute call to the home back in May.
Joint custody dad gives teen daughter cocaine, takes her to strip club (Doral, Florida)
Given that this is in Florida, one of the worst states in the US for women and children, nothing will change. After the press coverage blows over, dad JOSE MANUEL ARGUELLES will have the same rights as before. That is if he doesn't manage to get full custody by arguing that the mother was "alienating" him from his daughter or "interfering" with his custody time.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3196800/Florida-dad-arrested-taking-daughter-16-Pink-Pony-strip-club-giving-cocaine-allowing-pole-dance.html
Florida dad arrested for 'taking daughter, 16, to Pink Pony strip club, giving her cocaine and allowing her to pole dance'
Jose Manuel Arguelles, 59, charged with child neglect, giving drugs to child and eight counts of sexual performance by a child
Accused of repeatedly taking his daughter and her friend, ages 16 and 17, to Doral, Florida, gentlemen's club
Mother of the 17-year-old friend went to police after finding videos on daughter's phone showing her pole dancing
Pink Pony was shut down by code enforcers after Tuesday night's raid
By Snejana Farberov Published: 11:23 EST, 13 August 2015 | Updated: 13:45 EST, 13 August 2015
A Florida dad may have taken father-daughter bonding a step too far when police say he invited the 16-year-old girl to a strip club and gave her alcohol and cocaine.
Jose Manuel Arguelles, 59, was arrested Tuesday night and charged with child neglect, delivering a controlled substance to a child and eight counts of sexual performance by a child.
The criminal investigation also led to a temporary closure of the Pink Pony Gentlemen’s Club in Doral following a police raid.
Arguelles is accused of taking his daughter and her 17-year-old friend to the Pink Pony on multiple occasions.
During these outings, according to a police report, the teens were allowed to dance on stripper poles, drink alcohol, snort cocaine and smoke marijuana.
The mother of the 17-year-old girl, who allegedly accompanied Arguelles and his daughter to the club, said she went to the police after discovering videos and pictures on the teen's phone showing her dancing on stage in the adult club, according to CBS Miami.
Mr Arguelles, a self-described club promoter, shares custody of his 16-year-old daughter with his ex-wife.
When questioned by police, Arguelles admitted to bringing his daughter and her friend to the Doral strip joint and allowing them to consume alcohol, according to the report.
The teenagers told detectives that Arguelles has taken them to the Pink Pony several times since March, when his daughter turned 16, reported Miami Herald. The girl also reportedly confessed to doing drugs and drinking inside the club.
In the wake of the raid on the Pink Pony, the owners have a week to bring their case before a magistrate to reopen the club.
Arguelles’ attorney, Chris Mancini, argued during a bond hearing Wednesday that his client was being overcharged. He insisted that allowing a teen to dance on a stripper pole does not rise to the level of promoting sexual performance by a child.
NBC6 reported that Arguelles has been ordered held on $45,000 bond and barred from having any contact with his daughter or her friend.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3196800/Florida-dad-arrested-taking-daughter-16-Pink-Pony-strip-club-giving-cocaine-allowing-pole-dance.html
Florida dad arrested for 'taking daughter, 16, to Pink Pony strip club, giving her cocaine and allowing her to pole dance'
Jose Manuel Arguelles, 59, charged with child neglect, giving drugs to child and eight counts of sexual performance by a child
Accused of repeatedly taking his daughter and her friend, ages 16 and 17, to Doral, Florida, gentlemen's club
Mother of the 17-year-old friend went to police after finding videos on daughter's phone showing her pole dancing
Pink Pony was shut down by code enforcers after Tuesday night's raid
By Snejana Farberov Published: 11:23 EST, 13 August 2015 | Updated: 13:45 EST, 13 August 2015
A Florida dad may have taken father-daughter bonding a step too far when police say he invited the 16-year-old girl to a strip club and gave her alcohol and cocaine.
Jose Manuel Arguelles, 59, was arrested Tuesday night and charged with child neglect, delivering a controlled substance to a child and eight counts of sexual performance by a child.
The criminal investigation also led to a temporary closure of the Pink Pony Gentlemen’s Club in Doral following a police raid.
Arguelles is accused of taking his daughter and her 17-year-old friend to the Pink Pony on multiple occasions.
During these outings, according to a police report, the teens were allowed to dance on stripper poles, drink alcohol, snort cocaine and smoke marijuana.
The mother of the 17-year-old girl, who allegedly accompanied Arguelles and his daughter to the club, said she went to the police after discovering videos and pictures on the teen's phone showing her dancing on stage in the adult club, according to CBS Miami.
Mr Arguelles, a self-described club promoter, shares custody of his 16-year-old daughter with his ex-wife.
When questioned by police, Arguelles admitted to bringing his daughter and her friend to the Doral strip joint and allowing them to consume alcohol, according to the report.
The teenagers told detectives that Arguelles has taken them to the Pink Pony several times since March, when his daughter turned 16, reported Miami Herald. The girl also reportedly confessed to doing drugs and drinking inside the club.
In the wake of the raid on the Pink Pony, the owners have a week to bring their case before a magistrate to reopen the club.
Arguelles’ attorney, Chris Mancini, argued during a bond hearing Wednesday that his client was being overcharged. He insisted that allowing a teen to dance on a stripper pole does not rise to the level of promoting sexual performance by a child.
NBC6 reported that Arguelles has been ordered held on $45,000 bond and barred from having any contact with his daughter or her friend.
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